[menudo]

LEt me explain. I am talking about 2 of my cousins, both boys. One is about 11 years old, the other 9 years old. The 9 year old is now quite overweight. Their Mom has them seeing a Doc and/or a Nutritionist and I am only hearing them get the old stand by diet advice (cut carbs, no food after 6pm, etc.). Now I know organic, and REAL healthy stuff is out of the question now (it is unrealistic advice for them in my eyes) but any help on basic tips? She has them drinking primarily water but still buys much fast food (but denies it). She is always on the run and has never been one to cook, and may not really know how unless it comes from a box. She only formula fed (can have a major impact in weight issues) and vaccinates. VERY MAINSTREAM. I know many of you add these factors. Her youngest boy is falling ill due to his weight. Both boys are fairly active and in sports.

I suggested more salads, less meat (at least small portions) and fruit/air popcorn as snacks. Slowly wean from the junk. (Trust me, I am not one to talk about great diets, but at least Ihave knowledge and am trying... But I see them wanting that miracle cure.

So basically, my question is for anyone who has had first hand experience and what worked that I can pass on to my Aunt. I fear these "diets" they are now on may make it worse...

 

[goodpapa]

...Sally Fallon's "Nourishing Traditions" on sale at amazon at 17 bucks from 25.

It is the Bible of Food as far as I'm concerned.

Read it, heed it, and I'd bet we'd have a Health Revolution in this country.

bebe, maybe buy it, read for yourself and start sticking important pages in your Aunt's face.

The Food Processing Industry starts the damage and leaves us for the Pharmaceutical Industry to finish us off.

No more human sacrifice!

Ray

 

[malamamama]

In my own weight loss, years ago, I cut out fats and lost weight. I wasn't a junk food eater, but did love my fatty foods. Still do! I just have it in balance now therefore my metabolism is balanced too.
In a junk-food eating environment, how about cutting out fried foods first???? I think that fats in the processed food are probably the culprit. If your aunt can start by paying attention to and limiting their fat intake, that would probably be a good start. There's lots of healthy fast food on the market these days too. If meat is their main form of protein, I wouldn't necessarily cut down on that at this point.
Now when I am inclined to grab some chips, I go for the nuts instead. When I want the ice cream I grab a banana. etc. etc.
I don't know if this helps.....

 

[daylily]

Edited because I didn't read your post carefully enough. What kind of sports do they play? It's possible to be on a team and yet spend most of your time on the sidelines or standing around--I saw my own ds do this when he played soccer. Maybe you could tell their mother to evaluate the exercise they get--it should be vigorous and should happen almost every day.

 

[bebe luna]

Until their mother is seriously concerned enough to make some major lifestyle and dietary changes, there really is no band-aid approach.
Get her to read some literature about the links between childhood obesity and diabetes... as well as heart disease, poor immunity, self-esteem issues, etc.

These kids need to get active, drink nothing but water (avoiding pop, juice, milk, etc). Less sugar and processed foods (cold cereals, cookies, chips, cake, ice cream, white bread, snack crackers, etc). They should munch on nuts, dried fruit, fresh fruit, and the like if they need snacks. Meals should be balanced of lean protiens, whole grains, lots of vegis, and no fatty sauces. Fat is okay, just not a lot of saturated fat (animal fat, fatty dairy products, partially hydrogenated oils, etc).
If they must stop for fast food, there are better choices than greasy high-fat cheeseburgers adn fried chicken. Perhaps they could choose a low-fat sandwhich from Subway or a vegi-burger from Burger king. I don't really condone fast food, but if they *must* have some then at least they could choose wisely. Skip the fries, replace w/ a salad or some baked beans, skip the pop and have water instead.