Posted on: Sunday, November 14, 2004
Not always easy to keep after-school snack in balance
By Ka'ohua Lucas
"I'm starving, Mom," my 10-year-old announced as he slid into the passenger seat of our truck.
"Didn't you eat lunch today?" I asked.
"I did, but they give us only this much," he said, placing his fingertips together to form a circle. "Can I please have a snack?"
It's an everyday ritual for us. I pick up my youngest from school. He begs for a snack. I usually end up at a spot that serves unhealthful food.
I keep telling myself that I need to pack a healthy treat for him. But it never gets done.
I remember when I was about 10 years old. When I finished swim practice, I'd find my mom and dad waiting in the school parking lot for me. I always hoped they had a morsel of food stashed somewhere in the car. But no such luck!
"You can wait until we get home," my mom would say.
I'd chew on my fingernails or sit glumly in the car for the hour ride home. When we got there, I'd scramble out of the car and make a beeline for the refrigerator only for my mom to say, "Come on now, Sissy, let's not ruin our dinner by eating a lot of junk."
If I complained loud enough, I was offered rabbit food.
"Well I can cut up some nice apple slices," my mom would suggest. "Or how about some lovely crackers with a slice of cheese?"
Yuck!
It's funny how I'm resigned to offer my own children the same kind of tidbits.
"I will certainly be glad to make you some hummus dip and carrot sticks, or how about apple slices with a peanut butter spread?" I'd suggest.
My children will give me a wry look.
Then one will say, "You've gotta be kidding, Mom."
It's taken a whole year for my 10-year-old to enjoy the taste of a smoothie!
Anyone who knows my family is probably wondering how lettuce leaves and parsnips can satisfy their voracious appetite. It doesn't!
My eldest constantly reminds me that his ancestors never starved themselves.
"Do you realize, Mom, that our kupuna never deliberately starved themselves? That's a post-missionary concept!"
"Yes, I know, dear," I'd say. "But every meal including snacks was certainly not celebrated as a big lu'au."
The folks at Kamehameha Schools' health and wellness program have designed a curriculum that addresses Native Hawaiian health. One lesson promotes healthful eating habits and provides simple recipes for teachers to try with their middle school students.
I've been inspired to prepare for my own keiki some of the easy snack recipes such as peanut butter vegetable dip, poi smoothie and one of my favorites, the sweet-potato surprise.
So when my 10-year-old gives me a grim look when I suggest a teriyaki chicken musubi, I plan to look him straight in the eye and ask:
"Would you like me to super-size that for you?"
Reach Ka'ohua Lucas at Family Matters, 'Ohana page, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; fax 525-8055; or at ohana@honoluluadvertiser.com.
