photo by James at 42, reprinted under a creative commons license
The Times of London just ran an article with this genius headline: “Too much healthy eating is as bad for children as too much junk.” Pardon? You mean the whole wheat bread I feed my kids is actually harming them? What’s tomorrow’s headline going to say – death by quinoa?
According to the article (which you can read here), some British children are suffering from “muesli belt malnutrition” defined as “the overzealous application of ‘healthy eating’ rules imposed on their daily food intake.” It goes on to say, “A recent study warns us that too much fibre and too little fat can lead to vitamin deficiencies and stunts growth in the under-fives.”
Now, I’m not sure a U.S. media source could get away with quoting “a recent study” without telling us who conducted it and, even more important, who commissioned it. Maybe Cadbury Schweppes funded the research. Maybe a pissed off four-year-old did. Seems relevant, though, no?
And for the record, I don't take issue with the crux of the story, which suggests that children shouldn't eat high-fiber foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to the exclusion of dairy, fish, eggs, and meat. But most reasonable parents already understand the concept of a balanced diet. (Reasonable vegetarian parents, of course, balance their kids' diets with higher fat foods like nuts and seeds and protein-rich offerings like beans, pulses, and tofu.)
But equating whole wheat and leafy greens with Ding Dongs and Bugles? Please.
