Twenty years ago, cookies were number one and fruit came in second only. There was also a marked decrease in carbonated soft drinks, ice cream, candy, cake and fruit juice given to the young.
In lieu of those high-calorie and fattening items, more fruit rolls, gummies, yogurt, crackers, granola bars and bottled water were given by their parents.
Harry Balzer, vice president of the NPD Group, explained to USA Today, "Moms generally feed their children similar foods to what they were given as children, but they are starting to make subtle changes." Balzer added, "Slowly, mom is saying, 'I'm not giving my kids soft drinks and cookies as much as I was given them as a child. Instead I'm giving them water and yogurt.'"
The shift in eating habits explains the gradual change in obesity and overweight patterns in the U.S.
Even breakfast items reflected the shift toward healthier food. The top 10 breakfast served from March 2005 to February 2007 were cold cereal, glass of milk, fruit juice, eggs, fruit, toast, waffles, pancakes, hot cereal and bacon. It was almost an identical list 20 years ago, except for the order with fruit then 7th on the list and fruit drinks 10th, which was replaced 2 decades later by waffles on the 7th spot.
