Per the councilman, any child’s meal over 500 calories cannot have a toy, because eating a meal over 500 calories would contribute to children’s obesity.
There are lots of asterisks in the chart, but from the USDA’s own recommendations, children from 4 – 8 years old (the sweet spot for Happy Meal consumers) should be consuming 1400-1600 calories per day. http://www.bcm.edu/cnrc/consumer/archives/percentDV.htm
The taxpayers spent $9.8 billion in 2009 for the school lunch program. Those school lunches, because they may be the largest meal of the day for some students, typically exceed 500 calories. I’ve personally worked with middle school children where school lunch was their only meal of the day.
So why doesn’t the councilman propose banning school lunches that exceed 500 calories? We sure don’t want to promote obesity with government programs.
@Mark Bigger You hit the nail on the head! Often legislators introduce bills that they know have no chance of passing just to show their constituents that they care and appear to be doing something.
Ban the toys because then children will nag their parents for the toy and the food and will throw temper tantrums so mom has to say yes!
Parents can say no. Parents don’t have to indulge their child’s every whim. Parents can be “mean”. There has been many a time when I was told I was “mean” and my child said, “I hate you! I hate you!” because I didn’t indulge. The child forgets pretty quickly and loves me again.
You know, I think the country took a seriously wrong turn when it banned tar and feathers. Yes, they’re bad for the health of the recipient, but they taught clear lessons. Start with people like the councilman; thrown in a few facilitating civil servants; maybe a columnist or two. Within a couple of years, nanny would figure out where to draw the lines.
Maybe there should be a law…..(I know, I know, that is almost as bad as “I’m from the government and I am here to help you.”!)……that limits how many bills a legislative member (or other political type) to “x” per year; or make city councils part time….?
This is a good law that doesnt go far enough… It should also ban expensive tennis shoes, disneyland, chuckie cheese and ponies. These are all things my child asks for that I’m powerless to refuse…..
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I guess I should ask if my Council member will be supporting this.
Per the councilman, any child’s meal over 500 calories cannot have a toy, because eating a meal over 500 calories would contribute to children’s obesity.
There are lots of asterisks in the chart, but from the USDA’s own recommendations, children from 4 – 8 years old (the sweet spot for Happy Meal consumers) should be consuming 1400-1600 calories per day.
http://www.bcm.edu/cnrc/consumer/archives/percentDV.htm
The taxpayers spent $9.8 billion in 2009 for the school lunch program. Those school lunches, because they may be the largest meal of the day for some students, typically exceed 500 calories.
I’ve personally worked with middle school children where school lunch was their only meal of the day.
So why doesn’t the councilman propose banning school lunches that exceed 500 calories? We sure don’t want to promote obesity with government programs.
This looks like another example of politicians doing something to appear to be doing something.
@Mark Bigger
You hit the nail on the head! Often legislators introduce bills that they know have no chance of passing just to show their constituents that they care and appear to be doing something.
Ban the toys because then children will nag their parents for the toy and the food and will throw temper tantrums so mom has to say yes!
Parents can say no. Parents don’t have to indulge their child’s every whim. Parents can be “mean”. There has been many a time when I was told I was “mean” and my child said, “I hate you! I hate you!” because I didn’t indulge. The child forgets pretty quickly and loves me again.
You know, I think the country took a seriously wrong turn when it banned tar and feathers. Yes, they’re bad for the health of the recipient, but they taught clear lessons. Start with people like the councilman; thrown in a few facilitating civil servants; maybe a columnist or two. Within a couple of years, nanny would figure out where to draw the lines.
Maybe there should be a law…..(I know, I know, that is almost as bad as “I’m from the government and I am here to help you.”!)……that limits how many bills a legislative member (or other political type) to “x” per year; or make city councils part time….?
You know, I think the country took a seriously wrong turn when it banned tar and feathers.
Even better, we should bring back the Greek practice of ostracism.
This is a good law that doesnt go far enough…
It should also ban expensive tennis shoes, disneyland, chuckie cheese and ponies. These are all things my child asks for that I’m powerless to refuse…..