Superheroes to the Rescue!

With greater and greater numbers of children in this country becoming obese, and at high risk for other metabolic diseases, it's more important than ever that we find ways to help them eat healthier. As any parent knows, that's a tough proposition: gentle suggestions and outright nagging have limited results. As a study conducted by Cornell University researchers in 2012 found, however, kids make better choices when asked what their favorite superhero would eat:

When children were asked what various admirable people – such as Batman or Spiderman – would eat, 45% chose apple slices over French fries, which was higher than the health prime or the control condition.

The study was aimed at choices made within a fast food setting, obviously (apple slices over french fries), to see how to get kids to make better food choices within that setting. In my view, keeping kids OUT of fast food restaurants in the first place is the best way to keep them eating healthy, but that's not always an option in today's world. 

So when you inevitably find yourself there, do as the study suggests and ask your child:

"What would Batman eat?"