Healthy Kids.. REALLY???

This mom is a little upset by the new healthy lifestyle kicked off in our community.  The idea behind it is great.. but once I realized what the requirements were to get a reward I was utterly disappointed.

I've heard the buzz from all of the schools about an assembly scheduled at each elementary to kick off a program to promote healthy lifestyle choices. I was excited to hear more, especially when my daughter came home raving about it.  Their school was the first to have it launched at and it made headline news.  I saw a video from one station and heard it made the front page of the Tulsa newspaper.  My first thought was; This is big!  Yay for our community promoting healthy choices in the youth.  But then...

Abby hands over her "passport" for healthy choices and I flip through it.  Wondering if maybe I was missing something I went to the website listed to further investigate.  NOPE.. it was all there in that "passport"  Kids can earn stickers for making healthy choices.  After getting 36, I believe, stickers in their "passport" they turn it in to the local medical center and get two free tickets to a sports game.

36 healthy choices sounds great.. until you find out that those "healthy" choices are to be made at one of four participating restaurants;  Mickey D's, Chicken joint, Burger Palace, and Such and Such Bar and Grill.  Seriously???

We have been hitting the healthy train hard in our family and fast food is a big no, no.  I'm sorry, but I don't see that ordering a hamburger happy meal and choosing apples instead of fries is a great stride toward healthy living.  So, here's my daughter all excited to fill her passport and.. well.. it's just not going to happen.  What really bothers me is how built up this program is and how much attention it's getting.  Huge pats on the back for promoting health and there isn't a sticker for visiting a gym, being active, preparing a healthy meal at home.  What a disappointment...

So here ya go.. go out to eat 36 times.. order apples with your other fried food.. get tickets to SIT and watch people be active.  GO TEAM!