Kids in the Kitchen: Junior Leagues helping children fix healthy foods
By Alison Bergsieker
For the Lansing State Journal
Nutrition can come disguised as pizza, trail mix and other easy-to-make creations, some local youngsters learned Saturday.
Dozens of children gathered at Main Dish Kitchen in Delta Township to learn a few quick recipes from Jason Keusch, Troppo chef and general manager.
The event was part of a national campaign called "Kids in the Kitchen," organized by the Junior League of Lansing and other volunteers.
It's meant to teach children to make healthier choices - ones that will keep them from being part of the growing obesity epidemic that could threaten their lives.
Tristan Malott, a fifth-grader at Glencairn Elementary School, was glad to discover new options. He said it's hard to find healthy food at school.
"The vending machine in the cafeteria is full of junk food," said Tristan, 11.
The easy availability of fattening foods combined with a more sedentary lifestyle puts children at risk of obesity, which can lead to Type 2 diabetes.
The disease was once common only in adults.
Dr. Douglas Henry, a pediatric endocrinologist from Sparrow Regional Children's Center, said he's seeing it diagnosed in children two to three times a week.
"We've had two kids that have died," Henry said. "Some kids are so heavy that they can't move sufficient air through their lungs when they sleep."
Henry talked to the children and parents Saturday about how fast foods are usually not healthy.
Keusch was happy to teach the group some exceptions, such as pita pizza and low-fat trail mix.
Anita Alston, 41, of Lansing and her son Joshua, 8, attended the program, and said they're not home a lot because of busy lifestyles.
"It's easy to grab an apple or some vegetables as a healthy snack, but actually preparing dishes is more of a weekend thing because life is so busy," she said.
The Main Dish Kitchen has its own "Kids in the Kitchen" special: Children can bring their parents in to assemble six entrees that serve four to six people for $80.
The idea is to have healthy and fresh meals available at home without spending lots of time preparing them.
"The way you take care of yourself predicts your health 10 years down the road," Main Dish Kitchen co-owner Jennifer Haakenson said.
"Kids need a (variety) of foods without preservatives and trans fat."
The Junior League hopes to make "Kids in the Kitchen" an annual event.
In the meantime, parents and their kids can work together to lead healthier lifestyles.
"You don't need Dr. Phil, Jenny Craig or the South Beach diet," Dr. Henry said.
"You need to look at the junk your kids are eating and put a reasonable restriction on it."
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