1. Provided Courtesy of Nutrition411.com Where health care professionals go for information Nutrition Myths and Facts for Parents Review Date 4/13 K-0664

2. Information Overload With so much information thrown at you, it is easy to become overwhelmed and confused.

3. Conflicting Nutrition Advice Talk shows News alerts Family advice Parenting magazines Day care centers Mommy blogs

4. Agenda Discuss five common nutrition myths Present the science-based truth Provide practical feeding solutions

5. Myth 1: Sugar-sweetened foods cause kids to become “hyper.” Fact: Although many parents disagree, sugar does not cause hyperactivity.

6. The Evidence Currently no convincing, scientific evidence supports any link between eating sugary foods and hyperactivity Sugar is most often wrongly accused Snack foods, games, and a room full of friends combined=EXCITEMENT!

7. The Solution For parties and special occasions: Stay active with your child on the day of the event Eat a light meal before the celebration Offer to bring a healthy snack or dessert item In general, limiting sugar-sweetened foods is a good idea: – High-sugar foods have fewer vitamins and minerals, provide excessive calories, and are a major cause of tooth decay

8. Myth 2: Children must eat red meat to prevent anemia. Fact: Vegetarians and vegans can meet all dietary recommendations through a well-planned diet during all life stages.

9. The Evidence According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, appropriately planned vegetarian diets, are: – Healthful – Nutritionally adequate – Appropriate during all stages of the life cycle

10. The Evidence (cont’d) Plant-based iron-rich foods include: – Beans – Legumes – Tofu – Soy – Green leafy vegetables – Dried fruit – Iron-fortified cereal – Whole grains

11. The Evidence (cont’d) Offer plenty of plant-based, iron-rich foods, if you choose not to serve red meat to your child Serve an iron-fortified cereal for breakfast Provide dried fruit and whole-grain crackers as snacks Prepare chili with beans and green leafy vegetables for lunch or dinner

12. Myth 3: Milk is a must for strong bones. Fact: Calcium is a must for strong bones. There are many sources of calcium other than milk.

13. The Evidence Children are able to meet the dietary requirements for calcium without drinking milk or any other dairy products Nondairy sources of calcium: – Dark-green leafy vegetables – Broccoli – Cooked dried beans – Peas – Fortified juices

14. The Solution Incorporate nondairy sources of calcium into the diet, if you choose to avoid dairy Make a fruit smoothie with green leafy vegetables Prepare broccoli with fun dipping sauces

15. Myth 4: As long as I provide a daily multivitamin, my child is covered nutritionally. Fact: A multivitamin cannot replace the health benefits of eating healthy foods every day.

16. The Evidence More research is needed to determine if multivitamin supplementation provides any health benefits To meet the daily needs of various vitamins and minerals, increase intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains

17. The Solution Use the $20 you would spend on a multivitamin and buy more fruits and vegetables Wash and store produce in a visible and child-accessible location Prepare whole-grain toast with a fruit smoothie for breakfast Offer fun-shaped fruits and vegetables with fun dips for an after-school snack

18. Myth 5: Children should eat low-fat diets. Fact: Fat is an important nutrient in a child’s diet. It supports various bodily functions and is required for proper organ development.

19. The Evidence The role of dietary fat: – Supplies the body with energy – Aids in the absorption of some vitamins – Facilitates brain development – Insulates and protects organs

20. The Evidence (cont’d) Fat also contains excessive calories and is related to overweight and obesity, if consumed in excess Do not restrict dietary fat in children younger than 2 years of age, because this is a crucial time for brain development

21. The Solution Practice portion control Teach your child that high-fat foods are a treat you can eat on occasion If excess weight is a concern, focus on increasing physical activity levels, rather than restricting the diet

22. Conclusion Set the example Encourage positive behaviors and decisions Seek scientifically based recommendations

23. Resources Busting the sugar-hyperactivity myth. WebMD Web site. http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/busting-sugar-hyperactivity- myth?page=2. Accessed April 23, 2013. http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/busting-sugar-hyperactivity- myth?page=2 Calcium. Nutrition411 Web site. http://www.nutrition411.com/component/k2/item/436-calcium. Accessed April 23, 2013. http://www.nutrition411.com/component/k2/item/436-calcium Craig WJ, Mangels AR; American Dietetic Association. Position of the American Dietetic Association: vegetarian diets. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009;109(7):1266-1282. Fats and your child. KidsHealth ® Web site. http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/feeding/fat.html#. Accessed April 23, 2013. http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/feeding/fat.html# Iron deficiency anemia. Nutrition411 Web site. http://www.nutrition411.com/component/k2/item/509-iron-deficiency-anemia. Accessed April 23, 2013. http://www.nutrition411.com/component/k2/item/509-iron-deficiency-anemia US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. With benefits unproven, why do millions of Americans take multivitamins? MedlinePlus Web site. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_133698.html. Accessed April 23, 2013. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_133698.html