Watch it! Television food temptations are bound to be unhealthy.

Tune in on Nickelodeon and pay close attention to the food ads. In case you haven’t already noticed, most of these ads targeted to kids are promoting unhealthy food choices. About 80 percent of food ads on the Nick TV channel feature foods of poor nutritional quality, according to a survey by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) based in Washington.

It’s another challenge to hurdle, trying to get your kids to eat oatmeal for breakfast when those Froot Loops and other sugary cereals look so good on TV!

The CSPI food advocacy group does note a slight improvement. Back in 2005, junk food ads accounted for 90 percent of promotional airtime. Today, ads promote slightly better food fare. The improvement stems from a food industry self-regulatory program undertaken through the Council of Better Business Bureau’s Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative.

But to health advocates, there’s still a long way to go before television and food companies abate their contribution to the childhood obesity problem.

“While industry self-regulation is providing some useful benchmarks, it’s clearly not shielding children from junk food advertising, on Nick and elsewhere,” Margo G. Wootan, director of CSPI nutrition policy said in a statement. “It’s a modest start, but not sufficient to address children’s poor eating habits and the sky-high rates of childhood obesity.”

Under the self-regulatory program, 452 food and beverage products were listed as marketable to children – supposedly acceptable as healthy food choices. The CSPI sees it differently. Upon their own review, they found that 60 percent do not meet nutrition standards for children. Products that didn’t make the grade, but that are still being marketed on TV include:

• General Mills’ Cookie Crisp and Reese’s Puffs cereals
• Kellogg Apple Jacks and Cocoa Krispies cereals
• Kellogg Rice Krispies Treats
• Campbell’s Goldfish crackers Campbell’s SpaghettiOs,
• Kraft Macaroni & Cheese
• Unilever Popsicles

No brand of puddings, cookies or fruit-flavored snacks met CSPI’s nutrition standards.

How about food products that made the grade? 73 percent of yogurts did. Nabisco Teddy Grahams, Kellogs Frosted Mini-Wheats, Kellogs Eggo Waffles and some Kid Cuisine frozen dinners were also considered nutritionally acceptable.

So what’s a mom to do? There are days when my 3-year old wants her Cocoa Crunch… and I do give in. Bad mom! But I try to make myself feel a little better on Cocoa Crunch mornings by mixing in some bananas or strawberries (her favorite fruits) along with some Special K into bowl. I’m just extra thankful for those days when she’ll eat her oatmeal or eggs and toast!

Leave a Reply