Issue Date: March 30, 2008
How to prod picky eaters
New thinking about what determines a child's likes and dislikes when it comes to eating should help parents in their never-ending food wars with the kids.
Example: A University College London study of identical and fraternal twins suggests that some children are genetically predisposed to shun new foods. So-called food neophobia, or fear of unfamiliar food, might be a remnant from the days when humans scavenged for food rather than buying it from the local grocer. "It made sense to be wary of things that you haven't eaten before or haven't watched someone else eat -- it may have toxins in it," says Lucy Cooke, who led the study.
Yet another new study you may have heard about (see our story "15 things you need to know to care for Baby" on usaweekend.com) found that babies ate more veggies after about eight days of tasting them, even though they acted like they didn't like them.
Plus, news for nursing moms: The same study found that mothers who breast-feed can influence their infants' acceptance of fruits and veggies when moms regularly eat those foods themselves.
What else can parents do? My advice:
TRY, TRY AGAIN. Offer small amounts of a new food several times so your child gets used to the taste.
MODEL GOOD EATING HABITS. Your kids are watching you. Parents who eat their spinach greatly increase the likelihood that their children will gobble their greens, too.
MAKE SURE BABY EATS HEALTHFULLY FROM THE START. Breast milk can breed veggie-lovin' little ones.
Contributing Editor Ann Pleshette Murphy is the parenting expert for ABC's "Good Morning America."
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Student loan changes
Shopping for college loans? Make sure you're up to speed on the big changes Congress passed in 2007.
Students can borrow more. Maximums for dependent full-time undergrads applying for government Stafford loans have jumped to $3,500 for freshman year, $4,500 for sophomore year and $5,500 thereafter. Graduate and independent student maximums also increased.
Interest rates are reduced. Undergrads will pay 6% interest on subsidized Stafford loans in the 2008-09 school year. That rate is scheduled to drop gradually each year to 3.4% by 2011-12.
Loan forgiveness changes. If you work full time in a public service job, the government will forgive outstanding balances on a federal direct loan once you've made 120 monthly payments on the loan (after Oct. 1, 2007). Reduced monthly payments are also available to graduates with low incomes. See FinAid.com for more details.
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Golf greens are getting greener
Golf courses -- and golfers -- have become more eco-conscious. "The average 18-hole golf facility covers 150 acres, yet a third of it is construction, rough, woods, water and other potential habitats," says Kevin Fletcher, executive director of Audubon International. "These non-play areas provide significant opportunities to enhance and protect wildlife and native habitats."
Courses certified by Audubon International use non-toxic chemicals, minimally, on the turf and soil, and they conserve water and protect its quality.
Tips for golfers
Walk rather than use a cart to save the grass -- and gas.
Stay away from fast courses, where the grass is kept short. They're susceptible to invasive plants,disease and damage from drought.
Find eco-friendly golf courses at golfandenvironment.org.
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