Parents want the best for their children, it’s true, but sometimes they can’t make it happen, even when they know what they should do. “Parents try very hard to make sure their children get their daily five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables, but most fall very short of that mark,” said Theresa Kiene, chief executive mommy, Homemade Baby.
It’s likely the parents’ diets also miss the mark. “If it’s becoming difficult for adults to understand what constitutes a properly portioned healthful meal for themselves, it’s no wonder that most parents feel completely lost when it come to proper childhood nutrition,” wrote Ann Cooper, director of nutrition services, Berkley Unified School District and author of “Lunch Lessons.”
No matter how hard a parent tries to have a “Do as I say, not as I do” mentality, children pick up habits, even the bad ones. “A child’s diet is often directly related to their parents’ diet, so it starts with the parents understanding of what foods to consume in moderation and which ones to consume more of,” said Brandon Bert, co-founder and president, Amazing Grass. “Sadly, our fast-paced and busy lifestyles often make it difficult for families to enjoy consistent home-cooked meals.”
Luckily, the reverse is also true. “As parents try to live healthier, they impart actions, thoughts and behaviors to their children,” noted Jessica Jones-Dille, industry trend manager, WILD Flavors Inc.
But, just because the children follow parents’ habits, doesn’t always mean they should be getting the same products as the adults. “Children are little people, not little adults, and products for them should be free of harmful chemicals,” said Lou Paradise, president and CEO, Topical BioMedics. “Children’s products should not be mini versions of the same chemicals that may or may not be safe for their parents.”
Kent Spalding, vice president of marketing, Barbara’s Bakery/Weetabix North America, added, “Because children’s bodies are constantly developing, their immune systems may not be able to counteract toxic effects as well as an adult can.”