Super Size Me

I watched the 2004 film, SuperSize Me again last night.

The first time I saw the hit documentary about filmmaker Morgan Spurlock's adventures eating nothing but McDonald's food for a month, I got caught up in his experience.

Of course, he gained weight. His health suffered. Yadda, yadda, yadda.

But last night I noticed something different: The impact of fast food on our kids. Yes, I know all about the toys and TV commercials aimed at luring toddlers to McDonald's. and I know McDonald's is a favorite hang-out for our local high schoolers.

What I didn't realize is how poor the standards are for lunches in the public schools. When I saw those middle school kids grabbing nothing but chips, Gatorade and candy bars for lunch, I was astonished.

When I was a kid, we never had chips or candy bars in school. And the only drinks available were milk and chocolate milk. Dessert? Jello or ice cream sandwiches.

Was that such a bad thing?

Sure, I loved sweets. And watching TV. And I hated vegetables. All factors the experts say are the leading causes of the child obesity epidemic. Yet I was never more than 10 pounds overweight my whole life. And I have to wonder why.

The biggest differences between my lifestyle as a kid and my own kids' are:

1) the prevalence of fast food;

2) the multitude of "screen" choices, from video games to computers to TV; and

3) organized sports.

When I was a kid, McDonald's just wasn't on my radar. If we went out to dinner, which was often, because my mom hated to cook, it was to a local "family" restaurant (think Applebees, only not as nice). McDonald's just wasn't an option for my mother, who somehow knew even back then that fast food couldn't be good for you.

Of course, there were only three TV channels and no computers or video games for kids, so we had to do something besides sitting in front of a screen to amuse ourselves after school.

And the only organized sport for kids was Little League. No toddler soccer leagues, no gymnastics for preschoolers.

Instead, we made up our own games. We played outside every day that wasn't raining or snowing, and there were no adults around. We had 100 different versions of tag and 100 different rules for kickball.

My kids don't even know the term, "Do-over" because they aren't used to making up their own rules.

Was it better back then? I think so. Better for kids to play outside by themselves. Better for kids to eat home. Better for parents to cook most of the meals themselves.

I hate to put more pressure on women (and yes, it still usually does fall on women), but we have to take responsibility for our children's health. Cooking more often is one of the simplest, easiest ways to get kids to eat healthy food. (Not to mention lose weight, yourself).

Another way is giving them healthy snack choices. I still have a sweet tooth, only now I indulge it with Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats and Chocolate Cherry Smoothies.

When I want something salty, I go for Healthy Snack Mix or tortilla chips with Black Bean Dip.

I want my kids to grow up healthy and happy. Giving them healthy food choices is one way to do that.

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