by Eliza Martinez



Japanese eating habits have been recently touted as being healthier for us than our typical American diet of comfort food. Comfort food often being high calorie and low nutrition, our diets are increasingly making us more and more overweight. And children in America are no exception. Obesity rates are climbing along with heart problems and diabetes. What are we as parents, and indeed a nation, going to do about it? Perhaps it all starts with overhauling the way we snack and eat meals.

Japanese children take their lunch to school in a bento box. Much like the tin and plastic boxes of yesteryear these bentos provide Japanese school children with a healthy and well-rounded meal. Each bento is divided into sections, each specified for a certain component of a meal. While, American children don't often eat fish and pickled vegetables for lunch, we as parents can model our lunchbox packing skills after the mothers in Japan.

While buying a bento box is possible, why not forget about the container in which the meal is carried and focus more on what's inside. Divide the lunch into four sections. One section should be a healthy combination of protein, heart healthy fat and carbohydrates. A great example of this is a turkey sandwich on 100% whole-wheat bread with avocado slices. The second section should consist of a fruit and the third a vegetable. The fourth should be a healthy dairy selection, such as low-fat yogurt or string cheese. This covers several portions of the food pyramid in one meal and will sustain a child through the ensuing afternoon of class.

Looking back on the history of the bento box is a good way to see what the foundation of a healthy diet looks like. Bento boxes originated many centuries ago in Japanese culture as a way to carry a snack or meal for consumption during a busy day. Fast-forward to today and what better way to save calories and money than to always carry a healthy snack with you so you don't have to succumb to unhealthy temptations between meals. In addition, packing a healthy lunch for your family (or having them do so themselves) can ensure that each one of you is having a well-rounded midday meal.

Part of growing up and going to school is learning to make judgment calls concerning what is best for yourself. Unfortunately, it is becoming painfully obvious that we, as a society, are failing the next generation. We as parents and educators are responsible for teaching our young to make the healthiest choices available so that they can live long and prosperous lives. Providing tomorrow's leaders with the tools to choose healthy foods and an active lifestyle is our duty. Let's step up and make sure our tomorrows are filled with healthy examples for future generations.

For more information on living a healthy lifestyle visit smarthealthforfamilies.com

This author is available for freelance writing work. Contact at eliza@smarthealthforfamilies.com