The feat of raising a child with a heart healthy diet is often one that parents find to be a struggle. It is hard enough to put balanced meals on the table, but with the marketing of junk food aimed specifically at the very young ,our efforts often seem in vain.

The Kellogg company, the one that encourages our young ones to eat such things as Pop Tarts and sugary cereals, is feeling the pressure of parental complaints and the societal need to curb childhood obesity. The company has agreed to rework such classic recipes as Froot Loops and the ever famous Pop Tarts to see if they can cut the fats and sugars. New standards of health are the goal for the company, according to an article that outlines the plans to either alter the recipes or cease all marketing of the foods to children under the age of 12. The company has also agreed to be more careful which foods are marketed to kids. Any food containing more than 200 calories, 2 grams of saturated fat, 230 milligrams of sodium, 12 grams of sugar, or any trans fat per single serving will not be advertised on t.v. radio or Internet sites that small children frequent.

This sounds like a healthy move at a time when childhood obesity is at an all time high. For those of us who are trying to implement heart healthy lifestyles for our children, the struggle of battling advertising campaigns for sweet, fatty foods is often a hard one. I hope the Kellogg company stays true to this effort and helps to create a healthier environment for our children.