Brands should inspire and empower kids

If there is anything I strongly emphasize to my kids, is that we have one body, and they have the choice to grow with a strong healthy body or a weak one.

"What kind of body do you want to grow up in? Why do we have to eat? What happens if we do not eat well?" These are few of the many questions that I constantly ask my kids to remind them of the importance of eating healthy food and encourage them to make healthier choices.

Constant reminder helped my kids make better choices

Jana my 10 years old daughter, enjoys eating healthy and light snacks, like Greek yogurt, Cereal Bar, usually By Alpin or Nestle , Oat cookies by Quaker, she is aware of the things she eats and reads everything on the labels, she prefers fresh juices like lemon mint and she enjoys Frappuccino (coffee free) from Starbucks once in a while. On weekends she likes to eat pancakes, usually Betty Crocker’s ready mix.

My 7 year old boy Dawoud and 5 years old girl enjoy dipping Oreos in milk, munching on baked bread from SunBites, eating yogurt by Elle& Vivre as it is very tasty and light. They like to drink plain yogurt by Al Marai. During school days, their lunch box usually include chocolate or strawberry flavored milk by KDD, sliced fruits and vegetables as well as the usual energy booster snacks like almonds, dates, and raisins.

I minimize eating out and ordering food to a once a week, and when they are allowed to choose whatever they want (Junk food-once in a month), then Alia’s choice is usually Happy Meal from McDonalds because she wants to get the toy, Daoud is more aware of what he eats so he tends to choose the healthiest option possible like chicken tenders or subway.

Candies with toys are difficult to resist. Why not have toys with healthy snacks?

My main challenges are the candies that include toys, as they sometimes insist on buying lollipops or candies that is not healthy nor tasty for the sake of the small toy that comes with it. Like most kids, they like to eat candies, chips and chocolate, but because I spend time and energy talking about health, they became more aware and so when they want to eat unhealthy food, they eat with limits and very little amounts.

What I like to see trending, is healthy snacks and candies that includes a toy or a surprise that will encourage kids to buy.

Brands should to inspire and empower kids

I advise all parents to always explain to their kids why food is important, and teach them of the importance of taking right food decisions. As kids from age 5 and above can read and understand simple sentences, I would like to see inspiring and empowering messages that is directed to children, on the cover of healthy snacks and cereals, like sharing is caring, or you are becoming bigger and stronger every day, or how can you make someone smile today?

I would also like to see food companies focus on initiatives related to social responsibility, like encouraging kids to buy a certain product; in return the company will donate one to children who are facing hunger in a different country.

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​About SuperMom Zina:

Zina Ashour, an entrepreneur and consultant, is a mother of 3 children - Jana (10 year old), Dawoud (7 year old) and Alia (5 year old).

She is a Jordanian, living in the UAE.