Are All Sugars the Same?

Paradise Greetings,

Last week on the Regis and Kelly show, Anderson Cooper filled in for Regis. He and Kelly were talking about his recent decision to cut out sugar. Kelly asked him what he eats for breakfast and he proudly said he eats Special K cereal.

The fact is that Special K contains high fructose corn syrup, the highly processed sugar. When I mentioned this during a guest appearance on WPSL, the show's producer said it might well have been a product placement subliminally advertising Special K.

Call me naive. What about the truth? The truth is that high fructose corn syrup is one of the fuels for America's obesity epidemic. High fructose corn syrup is not the same as fructose, the sugar in plain ole fruit.

High fructose corn syrup may contribute to cancers (see my article at http://www.healthydiabetescoach.com/). It contributes to weight gain. It is often stored around your waist. It is one of the hidden ingredients fueling America's childhood obesity crisis.

ALL SUGARS ARE NOT THE SAME. High fructose corn syrup, an ingredient found in Special K cereal, should be eliminated from what we eat. Let's get it right and tell the truth about what is really in Special K. Anderson, I have a simple question: were you advertising a product or just uninformed?

Growing Healthy Kids - improving the health - and lives - of America's kids, one garden and one child at a time.

To your perfect health!

Nancy Heinrich
Founder, Growing Healthy Kids

A Summer Saturday Night

Paradise Greetings,

It rained this afternoon. A lot. My parched yard is looking happier now.

It's a wonderful slow, hot, steamy Saturday night in Vero Beach, where the tropics begin. The cardinals are flying in and out of the back yard.

I'm taking the rest of the evening off to simply enjoy a summer Saturday night!

To your perfect health!

Nancy Heinrich
Founder, Growing Healthy Kids

Healthy Snack Attack a Hit at Back to School Bash

Paradise Greetings,

Yesterday morning the Back to School Bash at the Sheriff's Office was a blast. Over 800 backpacks, including school supplies, were given out to kids. In record time! After I had the Growing Healthy Kids Healthy Snack station set up and ready for action, I walked across the street to where kids, parents, and grandparents were congregating under the shady oak trees. I introduced myself to a couple of families and invited the kids to come by and learn how to make healthy snacks. I saw a number of kids who saw me first and remembered me from the monthly events I've done the past year for kids served by Youth Guidance waiting to be paired with mentors.

Several boys tugged at my heart when I saw them, gave them a hug, and asked if they had been paired up with a mentor since the last time I'd seen them. Both boys hung their heads down and each had the same reaction as they quietly said, "No."

People say it takes a village to raise a child. I believe that. When you meet some of these kids who have a tough go of it at home, in their life's circumstances to date through no fault of their own, you want to connect them with what they need so they wake up with a smile every day.

This is why I approached Youth Guidance last year and suggested that we partner to create monthly events where the kids learn something fun and adults get to meet some of the kids looking for mentors willing to commit an hour or two a week in the life of a child. I'm sharing this with you ("the world") because I am now planning 2010-2011's programs. Some of you reading this will commit to be a mentor or find the person you know who is waiting for you to ask them to be a mentor.

It IS all about the kids. Some kids need more help than others. Like the boys I saw again yesterday. They need good, strong role models. We need a couple of good men to step forward. Are YOU the one the boys are waiting for?

Growing Healthy Kids - improving the health - and lives - of America's kids, one child and one garden at a time.

To your perfect health.
Nancy Heinrich
Founder, Growing Healthy Kids

The Growing Healthy Kids' Recipe for Success

Paradise Greetings,

Is it hot where you are? It's hot where I am, but last week it was hotter where I was: 115 degrees with 15% humidity.

Tomorrow, I get to teach 800 kids the Recipe for Success. Success SNACKS, that is. Growing Healthy Kids was invited by my friend, Officer Roberta with the Indian River County Sheriff's Office, to participate in the Back to School Bash. I can't wait!! We will be showing kids and their parents about simple ways to change what kids are eating so they get more of the good stuff and less of the bad stuff. We will be giving out our Success Snack recipe (with samples!) from the Growing Healthy Kids Recipe Collection and teaching the Growing Healthy Kids pledge to make healthy eating and regular physical activity not just the best choice but the ONLY CHOICE!

Right now, go get your sunscreen, a water bottle and your smile, set your alarm, and join me at the Indian River County Sheriff's Office, 4055 41st Street in Vero Beach. The Back to School Bash begins at 9:45 AM. See you there!!

Here's your tip: Drink a glass of water about a half hour before you eat a meal. The water will help fill you up so you don't overeat.

Growing Healthy Kids - improving the health - and lives - of America's children, one child and one garden at a time.

To your perfect health.

Nancy Heinrich

Founder, Growing Healthy Kids

PS-Thanks to Kiwanis Club for introducing me to Officer Roberta!

Health Information for Kids and Teens

Paradise Greetings,
"Diabetes Self-Management" magazine just arrived in my mail and one of the columns I like to read first is called "Diabetes Resources". The July/August 2010 issue is about resources for kids. The good part is that there are lots of resources. The bad part is that there are too many resources targeting KIDS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES.

What is wrong with this is that type 2 diabetes has always been a disease of older adults. With America's obsession of live to eat instead of eat to live, and restaurants, food companies, and drug companies using this to their advantage, type 2 diabetes is being diagnosed in children at alarming rates. We must act deliberately together.

Getting to and staying at a healthy weight through access to healthier foods and accountability for getting regular physical activity is key to preventing diabetes. This is why I started the Growing Healthy Kids organization last year. To halt and reverse childhood obesity. To prevent type 2 diabetes. To prevent cancer. To prevent bone and joint problems related to excess weight. To educate parents and other adults who surround children. To motivate schools to be part of our Salad Party Revolution. To make a difference.

Here is today's tip in how you can make a difference: Begin reading food labels and stop buying foods that contain HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP.

Please contact me at www.HealthyDiabetesCoach.com if you or your business wants to make a difference by sponsoring a Salad Party at one of our elementary schools (or heck, how about the entire school district). Together, we can make a difference! And remember, just say no to high fructose corn syrup!

Growing Healthy Kids - improving the health - and lives - of America's children, one child and one garden at a time.

To your perfect health.
Nancy Heinrich
Founder, Growing Healthy Kids

Don't Get the Sugar Blues

Paradise Greetings.

Most Americans are simply eating too much sugar. Sugar is one of the culprits in our national obesity crisis.

If you are ready make one change, start by reading food labels to look for sugar. The problem is there are many names for sugar. When a doctor tells a patient newly diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes to cut down on sugar, people take that advice litereally and cut back on foods that contain the granulated white stuff known as sugar.

Here's a few other names for sugar to "Be on the lookout" for:
High fructose corn syrup
Maltose
Fructose (the sugar in fruit)
Fruit juice concentrates
Lactose (the sugar you find in milk)
Brown Sugar
Honey

Read of label of your children's favorite breakfast cereal and see how many different sugars there are. Then look at the label of Cheerios (not Honey Nut Cheerios) or Shredded Wheat (not Frosted Shredded Wheat).

Come on, America. It's time to learn how to eat healthier. And smarter.

Growing Healthy Kids - improving the health - and lives - of America's children.

To your perfect health,
Nancy Heinrich
Founder, Growing Healthy Kids

Fitness Fiesta and Summer Salsa

Paradise Greetings,

This evening we're having a party in downtown Vero Beach and YOU are invited! Growing Healthy Kids is having its 1st annual Fitness Fiesta and Summer Salsa event from 4-7 PM today at Eco-Colour Design Studio, located at 1865 14th Avenue (just renamed "Main Street"). Learn to make Summer Salsa and how to make simple changes to improve the value of what your kids are eating.

We will be unveiling the new emblem for Growing Healthy Kids' sponsors, designed by the staff at Eco-Colour Design Studio.

Let's make healthy eating the right choice for children and families! Kids, bring your parents, and let's teach them together!

See you at the Fitness Fiesta and Summer Salsa party later today!

Growing Healthy Kids - improving the health - and lives - of America's children, one child and one garden at a time.

To your perfect health.
Nancy Heinrich
Founder, Growing Healthy Kids