Fast Food… Convenient?

How convenient really is fast food? Most Americans pack all they can into a day to meet the grueling demands on us by our employers, our children and ourselves. One complaint that I continually here is that between work and the kid’s activities parents don’t have time to cook. The easy answer to this then becomes fast food, which could range from McDonalds to pizza or that instant meal in a box from the store. But people also complain that they can’t relate to their kids or wish they could spend more quality time with their kids. I have what I feel is a simple solution to spending more time with your kids, saving sometime in your day and providing a healthy meal for your family. But first I would like to share with you a scenario I saw on a recent episode of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution.

 A family of three, a father and two teenage boys, had asked Jamie to help with the exact issue above. The father had little cooking skills and with all the sporting activities the kids had, fast food just seemed easier than trying to cook. The family admitted to eating fast food at least once a day but wanted to eat healthier and wasn’t sure how, sounding familiar? Jamie then took the family to a fast food restaurant and had the family order, but the food just kept coming! The SUV was finally overflowing with burgers, fries, pizza and grease. This was to show how much fast food the family consumed in a month and when they got home their living room, dining room and kitchen were overflowing. That was what they consumed in a year! Imagine that car or the house as your insides. Jamie then had the father return to the fast food restaurant to pick up lunch. Then Jamie instructed the boys on how to cook chicken breast, a sauce for the chicken, a side salad, vegetables and a fresh beverage. The kids did all the cooking. The father returned 40 minutes later to a home cooked meal waiting to be served which cost less and was much healthier.

My challenge to you is to dust off those cook books and get into the kitchen and have your kids help. They can wash vegetables, or watch the pan or even chop if you’re comfortable with them using a knife. This will be a fun family activity and with more hands in the kitchen the meal can be done quicker. The kids will learn to appreciate food more and will be more likely to eat their veggies if they cook them themselves. Then sit down at the table as a family and share your day with each other, the TV can wait.

I know this might not be easy, but a shift to healthier habits and healthier children is going to take a cultural change by the parents. Parents are going to shape their children’s perspectives on food. If parents are making good choices and cooking healthy meals at home with their kids, those kids will grow up with the knowledge of how to prepare healthy meals and how to make healthier food choices. Remember that these meals don’t have to be fancy or gourmet to taste good, the best spice is love.

Use fast food as a treat not a solution.

Tags: calories, fast food, junk food, Obesity