Healthy Eating Month Interview with Missy Keltner

In our second installment of Healthy Eating Month interviews, we chatted with Missy Keltner, Manager at Rock & Brews, El Segundo, about her ideas on healthy eating.

GG: What does healthy eating mean to you?

Missy: Healthy eating does not mean you have to deprive yourself of the food you love to eat, however, being knowledgeable of today’s nutrition and today’s risks can certainly change your lifestyle. It’s about feeling great, having more energy, stabilizing your mood and keeping yourself as healthy as possible.

GG: Why do you think it is important for children to learn about healthy eating?

Missy: It’s important for children to be educated about healthy eating because today’s obesity rates, diabetes and risks of cancer are at an all time high. If we educate them now, they will have a better understanding why and how to prevent such risks.

GG: What can we do to urge children to choose healthy options?

Missy: It is the parents/adults job to maintain and teach [their children] about healthy lifestyles until they are capable of making their own choices. Including your children to help make family dinners, pack school lunches or prepare healthy snacks will amp your children’s desire to eat healthy. If they are included in making it, it’s rewarding for them to eat it. For example, by making certain snacks into fun characters or shapes, or including just a touch of sweetness to a healthy option can take care of that sweet tooth. Also, be a role model by eating healthy with your child. Showing children what can happen [by healthy eating] and the results of unhealthy lifestyles is extremely important.