Junk Food Could Damage Your Toddler's Brain
Can't wait to snap a photo of your toddler trying her first French fry? Well, you may want to hold off on that first fry. A new study on food and your brain just came out with disturbing results: Fast food can make you dumb. Seriously. Trans fats -- the kind found in fast food and processed food -- are tied with lower brain volume and worse cognitive performance. In other words, junk food makes your brain smaller and slower.
It's pretty hard to rationalize this one away. If you want your child to eventually do well in school, it sounds like you'll want to lay off the fast food. And you may want to cut back on the boxed snack foods, too. Sorry. We already know that childhood obesity is a problem (or do we?). But here's one more reason to take your children's nutrition more seriously.
I know it's exciting when toddlers get their teeth and can start eating "big people" food. We all love seeing our kids experience new things and enjoying the same foods we love. But it looks like bonding with your kids over your love for fast food is a colossally bad idea. Now don't panic -- no one is taking your French fries away. This is about facing the facts and taking responsibility for the choices you're making -- for yourself and for your kids. We want our kids to grow into their best, brightest selves, right?
Oregon Health & Science University researcher Dr. Gene Bowman says the link between trans fats and brain power is so dramatic, he recommends we stay away from all trans fats. This means if you're not already checking out the ingredients lists, now is a good time to start. He says, "If you aren't sure whether something has them, just look at the ingredients; if there's vegetable shortening, partially hydrogenated anything ... just put it down. That’s the big message here."
The thing is, the toddler years are a great time to get into the habit of healthy eating -- before they even know there are other options out there and while you're still the biggest influence in their lives. It's an opportunity you can't afford to miss. I know some of you already feel strongly about feeding your toddlers well. Here's one more reason to support you when you tell grandma you'd rather not let her take your babies out for burgers.
Have you introduced your toddler to fast food yet? Does this study give you second thoughts about getting started?
Image via efleming/Flickr
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hoticedcoffee
Silly me, I always thought it was the other way around, that you had to be dumb to eat fast food. Learn something every day. No doubt I'm right that it makes you fat and ugly, though.
amanda_mom89
I told her (in the simplest way possible) that she's a baby and there are so many yummy fruits and vegetables for her to eat. Why would I want my baby to eat things that are not healthy for her or fill up on foods that aren't as healthy for her as other food?
Crazy.
Melissa042807
We don't have anything with "hydrogenated" in the ingredients in our house, but we do treat our 2 year old to french fries or chicken nuggets once in a while. A little treat now and then never hurt anyone.
Tortoise77
I'm glad when studies like these come out. It's a slap on the face to those mothers ( which I see here on CM) who go around proudly saying "I feed my child whatever I want, candy, ice cream, canned foods, and junk food and they are fine." I have nothing against junk/fast food. They are yummy but they are to be eaten on a very rare occasion to me. Good nutrition starts once your baby is born. If you never introduce junk food to a child he"ll never have the need to eat it. Some moms say " my child only eats cookies, chips and gold fish and juices, I gotta fed her/him something at least" well the truth is that if you would've never introduced them they wouldnt be eating just that.
fave82
I'm so over hearing about how terrible everything is. There are two things everyone needs to learn... COMMON SENSE and MODERATION. ... Problem solved!
ManyMoose
@amanda_mom89, there is nothing wrong with mashed potatoes. I feed my 8 month old plain mashed white potatoes often, but I do understand not sharing your own mashed potatoes because Im sure you add butter, salt and pepper. Mashed potatoes are not a fast food! (Unless you use that boxed pototoe flake crap!)
butterflymkm
butterflymkm
Anne4222
ManyMoose
Really? They may have a low nutritional value but they do have respectable amounts of Vitamin A and Vitamin C, as well as potassium. As well as other small amounts of other vitamins and minerals. Therefore saying they have NO nutritional value is just plain ignorant. Im not saying to feed your child mashed potatoes everyday, but having them on occasion will not lead to obesity!
Also comparing mashed potatoes to fast food/junk food is just ridiculous!