Disease Proof : Disease Proof : Health & Nutrition News & Commentary : Dr. Joel Fuhrman

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From what I’ve noticed, kids and veggies mix like oil and water. Remember this video? This little girl is hardly enthusiastic about her nutrient-rich green beans. Take a look:


I’m sure for some parents this video is like a Vietnam flashback. Make’s it hard to believe Dr. Fuhrman would say something like this. From Disease-Proof Your Child:

It is important to realize that it is never too late to teach your children the importance of eating healthy. As you learn, share enthusiastically with them. Work on improving your diets together. If your child is a teenager, let her read what you are reading. You may want to add that it will help their complexion and body shape. Even teenagers will make beneficial improvements in their diets when presented with compelling reasons. I have lectured to high school assemblies many times and am always impressed by how interested, enthusiastic, and willing to make changes teenagers can be. Research supports this willingness of adolescents to make significant dietary change when presented with accurate compelling information.1

But, I’m inclined to believe him—yeah, I’m brownnosing a bit—because a new study claims diet advice given to children early on, stays with them as they grow up. The Associated Press reports:

The study of children in Finland found that those who were taught to focus on healthy fats -- those found in fish, nuts, seeds and oils from plants -- had slightly lower cholesterol levels compared to those who ate an unrestricted diet.


The researchers have been following the 1,062 children since the age of 7 months. About half of the children and their families were counseled to shift fat intake from animal-based saturated fats to healthier unsaturated fats. The rest did not get specific diet advice. The new study reported the results on the children at age 14.

Dr. Harri Niinikoski, lead author of the study done at the University of Turku in Finland, said children begin forming their eating and lifestyle habits in childhood.

"We think that this lifestyle change can be started early," he said.

Interesting, take me for example. All my life my mother drummed into my head, “Fast food will kill you.” As a result, to this day I can count on my fingers how many times I’ve had McDonalds.