Snacktivism!
My kiddos Jack (9) and May (7) are like any other kids; they love their snacks. But if you're a parent like me who tries to be vigilant about packing healthy snacks for school, the playground and sports, you'll quickly find that your apples, almonds and water bottles are usually outnumbered by chips, bars and juice. And it's see-some, want-some. Your daughter struggles with memorizing her spelling list, but boy can she remember the exact kind of Gummy "Fruit" Stephanie had in her lunch box yesterday. Then she sees a commercial for some on TV and it's all over but the shouting. Or is it?
Kids can easily eat 500 calories a day on snacks, many of them while being carted to school, soccer practice or piano and, it seems, in any group setting. And what they're snacking on is often far from nutritious.
Enter Snacktivism! Snacktivism is a grassroots effort to stop unhealthy and unlimited snacking for the sake of our kids' health. I follow Sally Kuzemchak, MS, RD, who started this movement, on Facebook and on her blog, Real Mom Nutrition and have tried to be "That Mom" who brings fruit, nuts or crunchy seaweed to the playground or for classroom snacks.
Here's what a Snacktivist can do:
Mobilize parents at school, church, and sports teams.
Volunteer to bring food for events and model healthy choices.
Talk to teachers about the kinds of snacks served in the classroom.
Ask coaches if they can institute a healthier team snack policy-or eliminate snacks entirely.
Yesterday after school my daughter, May, said to me, "Mom, not everyone liked the seaweed we brought for snacks." "That's OK, honey" I replied, "It was a chance for some kids to try something new." I admit, being a Snacktivist is not always easy or popular, but I'm sure you'd agree - our kids are worth the extra effort!
You can learn more about Snacktivism and get your own toolkit on how to be one in your neighborhood on Sally's website, Real Mom Nutrition.
Laura McClain is the Associate Director of the Lane Coalition for Healthy Active Youth (LCHAY) and a mother of two. LCHAY is dedicated to preventing childhood obesity through advocacy and action in Lane County. Learn more at www.lchay.org and get connected with other parents making healthy choices for their families on their facebook page www.Facebook.com/HealthyActiveYouth.