March Discussion Question 1
Question 1: Since the adolescents intakes of flavonoids were lower than the average adult, what foods would you recommend that contain flavonoids to a parent, and how would you describe what flavonoids are? Think of foods that typical kids will eat.
posted by Julie @ 7:46 AM
32 comments
32 Comments:
Flavonoids are plant nutrients that when consumed in the form of fruits and vegetables are non-toxic as well as very beneficial to the human body. Flavonoids are what give the flowers and fruits of many plants their vibrant colors. The consumption of flavonoids has been linked to numerous health benefits. Most fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices contain flavonoids. More specific sources of flavonoids include: apples, apricots, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, pears, raspberries, strawberries, black beans, red beans, cabbage, bell peppers, broccoli, onions, parsley, pinto beans, tomatoes, etc. To get children to consume more flavonoid-type foods it is important for parents to get creative and promote having these foods available for children to consume.
I would describe flavonoids as ---
Flavonoids are components of plants that are known for their antioxidant abilities, meaning they have many health benefits like protecting against cancer and heart disease. However, you need to eat adequate amounts in order to get the full benefits. Majority of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices contain flavonoids.
Sources of flavonoids include: apples, apricots, blueberries, pears, raspberries, strawberries, black beans, cabbage, onions, parsley, pinto beans, and tomatoes.
Since getting teenagers to eat more fruit is easier than some of the vegetables, I would suggest making sure to have these fruits available around the house. Also, finding new ways to present them to the kids may be needs. For example, making a healthy smoothie with some of the fruits is a fun and easy way to get them to try some new fruit.
When recommending flavonoid rich foods to parents, I would suggest foods that are colorful, especially fruits. For example, apples, apricots, blueberries, pears, raspberries and strawberries all contain flavonoids. These fruits could be easily incorporated into a child’s diet throughout the day. Tomatoes, black beans, pinto beans and onions are also good sources. Beans and tomatoes could easily be added into tacos whereas onions could be added into a simple marinara sauce or meat sauce. When giving a description of flavonoids to a parent, I would first begin by stating that they are substances found in almost all plants and are responsible for many of the plant colors (i.e. yellow, orange and red). I would then discuss how flavonoids act as antioxidants in our bodies, protecting our cell membranes from injury or damage.
Anna- Good idea adding flavonoid rich foods to tacos. That is an easy way to add a lot vegetables to a dish. Another idea would be to try different types of salads and add a variety of fruit and vegetables to the salad!
The flavonoids are the red-blue, creamy white, and purple-red pigments that we find in so many fruits (like strawberries, plums, blueberries, raspberries, and others that have already been mentioned) and also in vegetables (like eggplant, radish, red cabbage, red potato, cauliflower, white potato, beets, etc). In discussing what flavonoids are with a parent I think the obvious way to identify them is by their extreme coloration: either deep red/blue/purple or very creamy white. I think I'd also point out that chances are they already consume F/V with flavonoids or they at least are already familiar with them (even if they didn't know the word "flavonoid"). I'd also stress the benefits of eating them - lowered risk of CV disease even starting in the teen years. With adolescents I think I'd try to help them ID the flavonoids they consume already and then challenge them to come up with ways to expand their menu of flavonoid-containing items, both in terms of ingredient and dish. I think smoothies (great idea, Rachel), adding fresh fruits to yogurt, also asking teens to create new ways to eat potatoes (not as french fries).
I would recommend increasing the consumption of fruits to the parent. Kids typically like sweet foods and fruit is a great substitute for dessert. I would explain flavonoids as simple as possible. They work as an antioxidant, they help to prevent illness and chronic disease.
Susan
I would describe flavonoids to a parent that they are the bright colors found in fruits and vegetables (ex: purples, blues, reds). I would tell them that they are important in helping fight and prevent health problems like cancer and heart disease. I would recommend doing things like eating apples with the peel on and adding cinnamon (a good flavonoid). Trying to make fruit salads with blueberries and strwberries. In addition giving children dessert is always fun so doing something like chocolate dip strawberries using a dark chocolate.
Alison , Anna - that is a great way to explain flavonoids to a lay person. I also think that Anna had a great idea with the tacos. Vegetables are often harder to get kids to eat than fruits. I loved the idea of having the kids come up with creative ways to make fruits and vegetables to get them to eat them other than a French Fry.
Flavonoids are plant nutrients that when consumed in the form of fruits and vegetables are potentially beneficial to the human body. Good sources of flavonoids include blueberries, red beans, cranberries, peppers, cabage, and blackberries. In general colorful fruits and vegetables are the best sources. To increase the intake of flavonoids in children think of creative ideas such as adding fresh fruit to cereal, yogurt, and their favorite deserts.
I would recommend that the parents try to encourage any fruit or vegetable that has bright, vibrant color (especially the yellow, red and orange ones). Many good examples have already been given. I would describe flavonoids as components of most plants that can have health benefits for humans when eaten in proper amounts. I would also tell them that flavonoids give many plants their bright colors and explain that it is important to encourage a variety of colors in the diet. Adding whole fruit to cold cereal or pureed fruit to hot cereal may be an easy way to include fruit in the morning. In addition, if the child is a picky eater, it is easy to slip veggies into the diet in casseroles or pureed in sauces.
Alison- I liked the idea of asking the teens to think of new ways to use potatoes besides frying them. If the kids are involved in the decisions made in the kitchen, they might be more likely to eat the foods prepared!
Shelby,
I like your simple way of describing flavonoids to parents (Bright colors found in fruits and vegetables). I also like your suggestion of eating more apples with the peel because it is true that flavonoids are usually concentrated in the skins and peels and are responsible for the deep color of fruits and vegetables.
I would tell parents that flavonoids are chemicals found in fruits and vegetables that can have antiviral, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antioxidant activities.
For kids I would recommend that parents encourage them to consume fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors. One thing I think kids love that would help parents to increase fruit and veggie intake would be to get a juice and/or smoothie maker and make their own fruit and vegetable drinks. If the kids helped cut up the fruit and veggies for the drinks they'd be more likely to drink them too.
Colin,
I like your idea of adding fruits to things kids already eat to help them improve their intake.
Parents could also add vegetables to foods like chili or stews and bump up the amount of vegetables that normally go in them.
Flavonoids are plant pigments found in the cells of some fruits, vegetables, and teas. They help keep the body healthy, and can be consumed through eating foods such as apples, citrus fruit, berries, broccoli, bell peppers, tomatoes, etc. If children are resistent to eat fruits and vegetables, parents can maybe sneak them in without children noticing-like putting fresh blueberries in pancakes in the morning, or allowing children to lightly dip raw carrots, celery, etc in ranch dressing
According to dictionary.com, flavonoids are: Any of a large group of water-soluble plant pigments that are beneficial to health. Flavonoids are polyphenols and have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. They also help to maintain the health of small blood vessels and connective tissue, and some are under study as possible treatments of cancer." Common food sources of flavonoids are: red, blue, and purple berries, red & purple grapes, and red wine. Other sources include: citrus fruits and juices, chocolate, yellow onions, scallions, and much more!! To get parents to consume more of these foods, I would encourage fruits and vegetables as well as providing a variety of foods every day at all meals.
Susan, I agree that we should describe flavonoids as simply as possible to parents. We want them to get the general idea and it's important to keep it simple so they actually understand what we are saying.
I would describe flavonoids as pigments found in many plants that give them their colors and also provide antioxidant properties. They have been found to protect against cell damange, cancer, and heart disease. A good way to increase adolescents' intakes of flavonoid-rich foods is to provide them (and parents) with a list of these foods including grapes, blueberries, strawberries, watermelon, bell peppers, onions, cabbage, beans, and many others. An example of a quick flavonoid-rich breakfast would be high fiber cereal like Cheerios mixed with fat free vanilla yogurt, blueberries, and strawberries. It's like a 'super' bowl of cereal. This would be something that kids that age might actually eat.
Shelby-
I liked your suggestion of desserts made with fruit and dark chocolate. We can't forget about the high flavonoid content of that dark chocolate! ;)
Anna,
I like your idea about adding flavonoid rich foods to tacos. You don't think of tacos being a food that would have much flavonoids. Adding the beans, peppers, and tomatoes can beef up the antioxidents.
Sources: Apples, pears, beans (red, black, pinto), onion, broccoli, strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, and tomatoes
What are they: flavonoids are plant nutrients that when consumed in the form of fruits and vegetables are non-toxic and potentially beneficial to the human body. Nutritionally speaking, flavonoids only need to be consumed in small amounts, such as the amounts consumed when eating a well-balanced diet containing fruits and vegetables, to reap any potential health benefit.
Susan,
I like the idea of mentioning that they work to help prevent sickness and disease that makes them more relavant to parents.
Flavonoids are color compounds. They have antioxidant properties and are found in fruits and vegetables that are vibrant in color. This article focuses on their anti-inflammatory properties.
I think that most everyone has heard by now that they need to eat more fruits and vegetables, so I would suggest that families with teenagers look around the produce department at a grocery store, look around and pick something out that is visually appealing to try. Often there will even be recipe suggestion cards nearby. It's a great way to find new foods to try out and if you pick out foods that are pretty you are sure to get foods that are high in flavonoid compounds.
Brittany-- I dig your idea to focus on combining flavonoids at all meals. When I was trying to think up a way to include more in everyday diets I didn't even think about breakfast. Berries in cereal, on yogurt or in a smoothie would easily provide an acceptable flavonoid-rich food to just about anyone.
I would recommend foods that are commonly accepted by adolescents such as tea, black grapes, apples, carrots, red beans, olives, lemons, broccoli, and spinach.
I would describe flavonoids as compounds found in fruits and vegetables that are very beneficial to human health. Some of these benefits include their anti-viral and anti-allergic properties.
Flavonoids are nutrients in plants that provide antioxidant properties. It's important to get you kids to eat a "rainbow" of fruits and veggies, because each color has different flavonoids. Try fruit kabobs, or new veggie night. Make trying new fruits and vegetables exciting. Pack trail mixes with dried fruits and veggies and dip with lunches. Most importantly, keep lots of flavonoid rich foods handy in the fridge.
Britt -
I like your idea of "super bowl". I just came across some research that found kids ate more fruits/veggies at school lunches when they were named something fun. for example, "Dinosaur Brocolli Trees". Apparently, a funny, imaginative name can get kids to eat more of something that they would usually pass up.
Emily
Myra, I thought your idea about getting a juicer and/or a smoothie maker was an excellent idea. This way, teenagers can experiment with different fruits and/or vegetables. I also liked Jen's idea about the "dips." Dips complement vegetables very well and today, grocery stores are stocked with healthier versions.
I would explain to parents that flavinoids are an antioxidant, which is something that acts as a shield in the body, protecting it from toxins. I would also describe that the food with the most flavinoids are those with the more colorful exterior; therefore, eat the rainbow!
Encouraging parents and teens to eat whatever fruits and vegetables appeal to them most, while incorporating several different varieties and colors, will increase the chances of intakes of flavinoids. Parents especially need to set a good example for their children by providing them with opportunities to try new foods as well as eating those foods regularly themselves.
Erin,
That is a very good idea to let the teens go to the store and pick out something that they want to try. Another way to get them involved, and hopefully interested in trying new foods, is to allow them to choose a recipe that contains a new fruit or vegetable. This would give them complete control of what they wanted to do, yet still making sure they are going through the experience, whether they realize it is benefiting them or not.
Anna - Great idea about incorporating the foods into fun foods like tacos. We all know kids like tacos and pizza, etc. If we can incorporate the flavonoid rich food into items they already like to eat then they are more likely to start to eat those foods on their own later on.
Alison,
I really like your idea about having the teens identify which foods they are already consuming that contain flavanoids. By doing this, they can see that incorporating them into their diet isn't so hard after all. It will make the consumption of these compounds seem like a goal that is doable, and will be very encouraging.
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