Letters from our readers

Better Nutrition, Dec, 2004 by Maura McClure, Laura Frisk, Linda Gallimore

I was heartened to read in Kimberly Lord Stewart's article about school lunches (September 2004, p. 38) that the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is urging the US Department of Agriculture to include more vegetarian meals on school menus.

When my 13-year-old daughter told me last year that she wanted to go vegan, I panicked--until I did my homework. I soon discovered that kids who switch to a meatless diet have at tremendous advantage--a lower risk of calmer, heart disease, obesity and other health problems that will plague their meat-eating peers as they grow older.

Thanks to my daughter, our entire family is now eating better. We're all including more meatless meals in our diets--and we feel great!

Maura McClure * Virginia Beach, Virginia

I remember taking my brown bag lunch to school every day. My mother would pack a peanut butter sandwich, a piece of fruit, a thermos of juice and an oatmeal cookie. Who would have thought that so many years ago my mother would have been so progressive?

I am pleased to see parents jumping on the bandwagon and making changes in their children's school diets. With childhood obesity and diabetes at an all-time high, good nutrition should he taking precedence over the convenience and profits that fast foods and vending machines provide. A vegan diet can provide everything a young, growing body needs to be healthy. And a diet rich in greens, grains and soy products can ensure a lifetime of good health.

Laura Frisk * Encinitas, California

I enjoyed your article on nutrition for kids ("In the Beginning," September 2004, p. 45) as I have several grandchildren. The only criticism I have is of the photo of the very brightly, artificially colored vitamins that is shown on page 46. That type of colored vitamin brought on asthma attacks in my granddaughter when she was young. Hopefully, there are safer, natural children's vitamins on the market today. A health magazine such as Better Nutrition should show healthy examples for today's young parents who may not have the time or energy to read about dyes in their children's foods.

Linda Gallimore * Via fax

Your feedback is important to us. Please send questions, comments or suggestions to: Letters to the Editor, Better Nutrition, 301 Concourse Blvd., Suite 350, Glen Allen, VA 23059. email: editorial@betternutrition.com