I'd like to tell everyone about the decision that the federal government made to put pizza in the fruit/vegetable category.  According to USNews, "The GOP-controlled House of Representatives... voted with the powerful and wealthy frozen food industry to maintain pizza's status as a vegetable in school meals as long as the food item contains at least two tablespoons of tomato sauce."  Two tablespoons!  This is absolutely absurd.  Pizza is a carbohydrate and fat enriched food that should be consumed only as an occasional treat, not be considered a vegetable.  This is sending the wrong message to parents and students.  With the obesity epidemic that America has on its hands, it makes no sense to tell school aged children that pizza is 'just as healthy' as consuming an apple or getting a side of steamed veggies.  
    On the other hand, it is just as important for parents to emphasize the importance of nutrition to their children and encourage them to either pack their own lunches for school or to make healthy decisions while away at school.  With all of the growth that children undergo it is extremely important that they feed their body right.  Think about this, as you age one of the things women worry about most is osteoporosis, so many take calcium and vitamin d supplements.  One of the things many physicians either don't know or forget to tell you is that the most important time in your life to take care of your bones is when you are a child.  Getting enough calcium and doing weight bearing exercises as a child will have a much higher impact on your bone health than if you wait to 'treat' this problem as an adult.  This is only one reason that it is so important that nutrition should be a high priority for parents and their children.  
    If you have any questions or concerns about your child's diet or nutrition send me an email.  If I can help I will, if I cannot I will point you in the right direction and get you in contact with people who can.  If you have time, check out this story about a boy and his weight loss struggles and then take a look at this list of FAQ from American Bone Health.  Both articles are eye opening and filled with good information.