One Kid, One Cookie, 20 Pounds

tidbits that tantalizeWell, Maybe Just One...

Kids love cookies - who doesn't?

But, are they really good for them? Even in moderation? Well...

Researchers from of the University of Granada in Spain say probably not. In fact, they say that a single chocolate cookie each day can add 20 pounds over a four-year period. Yikes! How many moms think they are being frugal in the snack department by rationing out a single cookie each day? Let's not even talk about the way dads haphazardly dole out goodies - in their defense, studies have shown men lose the function of rational thought in the presence of ooey-gooey stuff...

So, what are moms to do?

Sadly, instead of our kids being outside running and jumping and exercising, they've become homebodies, staring at the television set for hours. The only exercise many of our children get is the wrist and finger workout of a tough video game competition. And, of course, the bicep crunches of lifting the chips from bag to mouth...

The researchers point to the importance of high fiber diets - you know, fruits, veggies - to help control obesity. They say that fad diets do little but eliminate glycogen (a complex carbohydrate, stored as glucose, that serves as energy) and water, which are quickly added back after the diet is stopped. But, reducing calories, increasing activity levels, and eating a high fiber diet can achieve a stable weight.

What about the cookies? Hmm... Try introducing your kids to some new friends: apples, bananas, almonds, carrots. You never know - it just may start friendships that last for a lifetime...

To read more about the researchers' recommendations, see this from ScienceDaily. To learn more about childhood obesity, eating disorders, and healthy eating lifestyles, see this from Empowered Kidz.