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Dr. Kim Mulvihill reportingIf you can't get your kids to eat right, help is on the way.
The government's new food pyramid "for kids" has an interactive computer game to get kids on board.
Kids these days are more likely to play video games than go out for a jog. So federal scientists must have thought: If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
Too many calories in - - not enough calories out: What we actually eat shocked the architects behind the new food pyramid.
Janet King, Ph.D., Food Pyramid Committee: "Over 60 percent were low in vitamin A, vitamin C and the minerals calcium, magnesium, potassium and fiber "
With the new kid food pyramid and this computer game called “MyPyramid Blast Off”, kids learn to make every calorie count and to choose their food wisely.
I logged in as a 10 year old girl, a ten year old girl with terrible eating habits. For breakfast I think I'll have french toast. I'm selecting food rich in sugars, bad carbs, and plenty of fat.
OPPS.. Alarm. it's the attack of the fats.. I'm choosing foods with too many fats"
Game over.. No blast off here..
Nearly 3,000 Calories.. . not enough fruits and veggies.. and no activity. I think I’m going to try again.
But if i play my "carbs" right - - and add more of the right stuff - including 30 to 60 minutes worth of exercise, Not only can I can blast off, but I Astronaut Kim gets a nifty certificate.
But what if your kids simply refuse to eat veggies.- - take for example my son.
Dr. Kim: OK.. what vegetables did you have today?
Son: tangerines
Dr. Kim; that would be a fruit!"
Nutritionist Jo Ann Hattner says don't fight, teach your kids to switch.
Jo Ann Hattner, Nutritionist: "You can switch a little bit more into the fruit services because really fruits and vegetables are very comparable in the type of nutrients they have"
A lot of people think this is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done.
Some say a stronger move would be to ban junk food from or around schools.
