Eating For Health

So many kids’ diets today are lacking in fruits and veggies.   A lot of greasy fries but little or no fresh fruit and veggies.   A simple goal for all of us, but especially for kids is “5 A DAY”.   At least five servings of fruit and veggies a day.   I say at least, because I’ve always taught “5 A DAY” but one of my students thought eating 6 a day was too much.   Not true.   In fact, the World Health Organization recommends 9 servings a day.   But aiming for at least “5 A DAY” is a good start.     CDC has a good fact sheet and recommendations, let’s look at some of them.   10 Ways to Help Kids Eat More Fruits and Veggies Make it easy - Keep a bowl of fresh fruit on the counter.    Also, refrigerate cut up fruits and vegetables in small bags for easy snacks.   So much fresh produce is available right now. Keep it visible. Serve fruits and vegetables at every meal.   Fruit for breakfast, 2 servings of fruit/veget...

Last week we talked about small changes you could make for a healthier you.   I had gathered some ideas from Jo-Ann Heslin, a registered dietitian.    I have adapted some of her suggestions for small changes families with children can make to be healthier. What are some small changes you as a parent can make for a healthier child?             1.    Eat together – in today’s go, go lifestyle so many families no longer eat together.   At least a few times a week plan a family, sit-down meal together.   Cornell University recommends eating together as a family at least 3 times a week.   Family meals means a focus on the family, so turn off the TV, the cell phones and focus on the kids.   According to Cornell University, ( Do Famiy Meals Really Make a Difference? ), family meals have huge health benefits: a.        Children are 24% more likely to eat healthier b....

What parent doesn’t have a picky eater?   At least at times.   Recently, Jennifer Motl, a registered dietitian shared her own experience with a picky eater and gave parents some advice on what the latest research shows   ( Bright Eating ).   Her tips modified for this blog are:   Model Good Eating habits – your children are always observing what you do and what you say.   So eat healthy foods in front of your child and say how much you like it.   Motl shared how her son started eating radishes because his grandfather liked them on his salad. Make up Creative names for foods – Cornell researchers found school age kids ate 99% more broccoli when it was called “Tiny Tasty Treetops”.    They also ate more green beans when they were labeled, “Silly Dilly Green Beans”. Slice some foods – perhaps because they are easier to pick up and eat but researchers at Cornell found children ate more apple slices than a whole apple. I’ve seen so m...