"Snacking on healthy food is what we like to do!
Eating apples, oranges, carrots, and some celery too,
Nuts and cheese, add some of these — and a glass of fruit juice, too!"
Apparently, the words of this catchy "Barney" song played through the minds of teenagers when they were young a few too many times. Enough times, in fact, to affect their eating decisions today. And that is helping teens — some of them, anyway — fight the large fast-food advertising industry.
Businesses spend over $36 billion a year marketing food and drinks to teens and their parents, making the industry the second largest advertiser in the American economy, said Marion Nestle, chairman of the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at New York University (in a 1998 PBS Frontline special, "Fat").
According to Margo Wootan, director of nutrition policy for the Center for Science in the Public Interest (quoted by Pioneer Press at TwinCities.com), about half of all advertising aimed at teens is for food.
Consumer advocate Peggy Charren explains (at Mediascope.org) that only 2 percent of that advertising is for fruits, grains or vegetables.
Teenagers spend $13 billion at fast-food restaurants alone, and Americans in general spent $110 billion in 2000 on fast food, more than was spent on higher education or entertainment.
However, despite these trends, Juab High School teens say they are still eating their vegetables — for health and convenience reasons.
Some say the four-to-five servings of vegetables a day recommended by the Food and Drug Administration are the easiest of the food groups to get because such little preparation is necessary.
Though the acquired taste of vegetables has come to most teens — and mom no longer has to entice them with the little buzzing airplane-spoon — dressing up vegetables a bit doesn't seem to hurt, Juab teens say. Ranch dressing goes on just about everything, while melted cheese is a favorite as a drizzle over broccoli.
But "the only way to take zucchini is in bread," says Sam Baird, a freshman.
"I love fried vegetables," says Melissa Bunker, a junior. "Not necessarily deep-fried, but I love sauteed zucchini. Fried carrots, on the other hand, are disgusting."
"And nothing, nothing except cucumbers, should ever be pickled!" says Abby Allred, a senior, as she cringes.
Fresh seems to be the best way to eat vegetables, and the main reason they are a favorite for some teenagers. Fresh, raw vegetables retain more nutritional value, while overcooked vegetables tend to lose many important vitamins, minerals, color and texture.
"Cooked peas are disgusting, especially out of the can," says sophomore Jacqueline Carlton, "But, mmm, when they're straight out of the pod or garden, they're really good."
Senior Ferrin Fautin says, "I eat carrots and celery and broccoli, seriously, instead of candy. I love every single vegetable and always have. I just love the fresh taste."
"I love broccoli and cauliflower," says Keena Casper, a junior. "They're so good when you dip them in ranch, and when they're going down my throat, I feel, I really feel my body is getting healthier."
"I love carrots . . . they're my favorite food," says Jessica Ferguson, a junior. "My mom told me when I was little that they'd make me see better, so I still eat them."
Senior Raquel Brough enjoys healthy eating but says, "Vegetables are good, but compared to fruits, they're really nothing. You know, they're good for you and stuff, and particularly now, I love broccoli and spinach. They do your body good . . . but I'd rather have a juicy apple."
Caitlin Holladay and Sally Smalley are both juniors at Juab High School. If you are going to be a junior in high school next year and would like to write for Pulse, please e-mail pulse@desnews.com or write to Susan Whitney, c/o the Deseret Morning News.