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Teach kids to make good food choices

Barbara Gier’s letter (“Obesity battle begins at home,” Sept. 14) has cut through the clutter to address a core matter. Today’s overscheduled parents sometimes feel forced to relegate to others the responsibility for their equally overscheduled children. There are still only 24 hours in a day and seven days in a week.

But hasn’t life always been a series of choices? With diet, these choices begin with “terrible twos” tantrums and end, at least for some, when dementia means a caregiver makes those choices for the elderly. As it happens, a default choice of a poor diet has a direct correlation with an increase in obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart attacks and strokes, and, yes, dementia.

Until the past few years eating out was an occasional treat for most families. Today “dashboard” dining is common for both families and singles. Entertaining food shows whet our appetite for a varied, but not necessarily nutrient-rich, diet. While there are some informative TV shows, many provide simple fluff. Animated ads for processed food capture our attention more quickly than the colorful, natural, nutrient-dense fresh and frozen produce at the market.

Rolling Meadows High School has just launched an impressive culinary program for career-minded students, but since everyone has to eat, simply cooking with your kids at home makes sense. If kids can master computers they can easily master the science of food preparation. It’s a skill they will always savor whether it leads to a career or to simply being well fed. Food Day, modeled after Earth Day is Oct. 24. Start planning now so that your family can participate. Your wallet and your waistline will thank you.

Audrey Beauvais

Arlington Heights