Nutrition Moves Up on Mom's Purchas...( Fiber Requirements R...),Health

Fiber Requirements Remain a Mystery to Mom

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Nutrition has moved up on mom's shopping list, as three in four moms (74 percent) consider the nutritional content of foods they purchase for their children more now than they did two to three years ago, says a new survey from Ronzoni(R) Smart Taste(TM). Furthermore, two-thirds (65 percent) of moms are more concerned now compared to two to three years ago about their children's nutrition.

However, the battle between nutrition and taste rages on as parents are actively seeking healthier foods they can be sure their kids will like. According to the survey of approximately 1,000 moms with children ages 5-17, nutritional content is the number one factor considered when buying grocery products for their children (27 percent), but mom's desire for nutrition is followed closely by her child's preference (22 percent). Taste (21 percent) falls behind nutrition and kids' preferences as the number one factor.

Moms Confused About Fiber

When it comes to important nutrients like fiber, many moms think their children are consuming enough (62 percent) on a daily basis. However, only 13 percent of respondents are aware of the minimum daily requirement of fiber for children. The "age plus five" rule, developed by the American Health Foundation in 1995 and adopted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommends children's fiber intake equal their age plus five grams of fiber per day.

Calcium Conundrum

Furthermore, while 80 percent of moms believe their children get the recommended daily amount of calcium, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, among 6-11 year olds less than 40 percent of boys and 30 percent of girls ages 6-11 meet their daily calcium requirements. Among 12-19 year olds only 30 percent of boys and 10 percent of girls meet daily their calcium requirements.(1)

Ew, Mom!

Getting children to eat right is a
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