Gifted British Children Want to Decide What Foods They Eat
Posted Dec 18 2008 8:12pm
I'm always intrigued when reading about health and nutrition news from Great Britain for a number of reasons. First off, the country has many cutting-edge researchers over there (some of whom I interviewed for my upcoming book SUGAR SHOCK! ). Secondly, in many ways, we Americans can learn so much from them, especially when it comes to their more consumer-friendly, common-sense rules and guidelines regarding TV advertising and food.
In fact, 68.7 percent of children polled (770 kids in all the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth) felt that they should be responsible for what they put in their mouths.
What's more, the BBC tells us, these young ones say that "they would choose healthy options over junk food."
The timing of the poll is interesting. "The findings come as the government is setting its nutritional guidelines for school meals in England," the BBC explains.
But bear in mind, as I reported here earlier, Great Britain has a wonderful anti-junk-food champion over there -- young, hip TV chef "Naked Chef" Jamie Oliver -- who's thrown his weight behind a campaign to change food in schools and to use more fresh ingredients.
Cool American celebrities, are you listening? You could do so much good if you emulated Oliver even in a small way!
I'm always intrigued when reading about health and nutrition news from Great Britain for a number of reasons. First off, the country has many cutting-edge researchers over there (some of whom I interviewed for my upcoming book SUGAR SHOCK! ). Secondly, in many ways, we Americans can learn so much from them, especially when it comes to their more consumer-friendly, common-sense rules and guidelines regarding TV advertising and food.
But this latest bit of news from the BCC entertains me. A new survey of gifted British kids reveals that these youngstgers believe they're smart enough to decide what they want to eat rather than have their food choices dictated to them.
In fact, 68.7 percent of children polled (770 kids in all the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth) felt that they should be responsible for what they put in their mouths.
What's more, the BBC tells us, these young ones say that "they would choose healthy options over junk food."
The timing of the poll is interesting. "The findings come as the government is setting its nutritional guidelines for school meals in England," the BBC explains.
But bear in mind, as I reported here earlier, Great Britain has a wonderful anti-junk-food champion over there -- young, hip TV chef "Naked Chef" Jamie Oliver -- who's thrown his weight behind a campaign to change food in schools and to use more fresh ingredients.
Cool American celebrities, are you listening? You could do so much good if you emulated Oliver even in a small way!