Adolescents Don't Eat Their Veggies
I believe it. When I was in high school I barely ate any fruits and vegetables. My diet was almost entirely comprised of bagels, cream cheese, cookies, chicken, pizza, and the occasional veggie side dish. Looking back on it, it seems like the standard American diet really takes hold during people’s teenage years. What do you think?
Not sure? Well, take a look at this report by Eric Nagourney of The New York Times. According to new research as kids grow up they eat less and less vegetables, especially during their teenage years. Here’s more:
Not sure? Well, take a look at this report by Eric Nagourney of The New York Times. According to new research as kids grow up they eat less and less vegetables, especially during their teenage years. Here’s more:
Researchers surveyed more than 2,000 young people about their eating habits in 1999; when they surveyed the same group five years later, most of the teenagers were eating fewer fruits and vegetables.
The timing could not be worse, and the researchers said it was important “to understand why consumption is decreasing among adolescents and to develop more effective interventions for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption during this critical developmental period.”I wonder why this happens. My guess is the seeds of this problem are sown early on. Dr. Fuhrman discusses this in Disease-Proof Your Child:
If childhood memories of vegetables included being forced to choke down peas, it does not help to nurture positive feelings and an affinity toward the taste of peas. Children will learn to enjoy these foods best by watching adults appreciate the flavors and health benefits in a subtle manner, which will lead to a lifetime appreciation of vegetables prepared in a variety of interesting ways.
