Eating For Health

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....

We all know that most of us eat too many foods high in added sugar.   But then we hear “All things in moderation” to justify our sugary snack fixes.   But what about kids, is added sugar harmful to kids?   Some new research indicates sugary drinks in preschoolers can lead to obesity.     When I was growing up, it seemed no one drank sugary drinks very often.   Once a week, my father would let us have a 7 ounce sugary soda (soda came in 7 ounce bottles back then).   The rest of the time we had milk with our meals and drank water if we were thirsty.   Now, many parents give their kids soda at meals instead of milk and sugary drinks like Sunny D and Capri Sun in place of 100% juice.   So what did the study find? Researchers found that 5 year olds who drank sugared drinks like sodas, sports-drinks and even juices high in added sugar every day were more likely to be obese than their peers who drank these sugary drinks less often. ...