Show of hands—how many of you would choose to eat broccoli over, let’s say— french fries. If we’re being honest, most of us would choose the mouth-watering fries, which, if you think about it, did originally come from a potato—a vegetable!
Even though we’ve been taught to avoid a lot of fast food items and instead opt for eating healthy, nutritious foods like vegetables, fruits and protein to improve our health, 80% of us aren’t doing it.
Problem is, our eating habits are being passed to our kids. It’s kind of, "do as I say, not as I do"—something Linda wants to avoid.
Linda: a Mom's Story
I grew up in a household where happiness revolved around food—mounds and mounds of some of the best tasting dishes and desserts you’d ever eat. My mom cooked almost every night and made delicious meals on a budget, which often meant casseroles and carbs. I remember learning in school about the food pyramid and how, just like today, nutritional experts told us we were supposed to eat more fruits, vegetables, proteins and fiber. I came home and talked to my mom about it. She started buying more fruit but other than that, she didn’t really know how to incorporate nutritional standards into the family meals.
Fast forward--now here I am, a mom of two great kids ages five and seven, and I’m feeling the same way my mom did. I myself eat pretty healthy and exercise, but I’ve realized I need to impact my kids in a positive way.
I loved being active as a kid, from riding bikes around the neighborhood with my friends to swimming in the summer, then getting involved in sports at school. I thought it was all so fun and that’s why even now, I love being active. Wanting to give my kids that same experience and love of fitness, I signed them both up for Skyhawks Sports Academy clinics after school. They’ve been having a great time, learning about soccer and basketball. They’ve met friends, their coaches are phenomenal and I love seeing them smile and have a great time. Plus, the kids are picking up some great character building and life skills through sports instruction.
Recently, Skyhawks introduced a great new program for parents and athletes called “Eat Like a Champion,” and it’s just what I’ve been looking for. As a parent, I really needed healthy eating education and guidance for my kids, presented in a comprehensive way. So, once a week, while our kids are having fun playing, parents can sit in on interactive presentations from really engaging nutrition experts. Although they are discussing the value of a balanced diet, with the importance of fresh fruits and vegetables, and the role of nutrients in physical and cognitive development, it’s presented in a practical way that doesn’t make me yawn! Moms and Dads who attend these free classes get food prep ideas, recipes and grocery lists to help us navigate feeding our children in a healthy way.
As a working mom, my life is fast-paced and honestly, I have to manage my time well-- juggling kids, errands, the house and work. I needed practical, time efficient ideas to give my kids tasty, nutritious meals on a budget. Even though fast food is tempting and tasty, I want my kids to be fueled with high nutrition. One of the hardest challenges I face is making decisions in the grocery store. I mean I know chips, candy and cookies are not great choices, but it’s the other stuff that’s hidden in processed foods that appear healthy on the packaging, but, as I’ve learned, are not. In the parent sessions of “Eat Like a Champion” classes, I’m getting tips about how to read food labels effectively, so that I can make healthy eating a feasible part of our busy lifestyle.
I was initially worried that my children might resist the shift towards healthier eating habits. However, through the "Eat Like a Champion" program at their Skyhawks clinics, they are receiving age-suitable nutrition education from their coaches. These coaches excel at making both sports and nutrition lessons engaging and practical, positively impacting my kids' attitudes towards health. Skyhawks isn't just fostering a lasting passion for sports in my children; with "Eat Like a Champion," they are also guiding them towards embracing a healthy lifestyle by making nutritious food choices. And one more bonus-- now the kids like helping me in the kitchen! That's definitely a plus!
If you’d like to learn more about Skyhawks Sports Academy and their “Eat Like a Champion” program, click here.