Did you know that September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month? More than 23 million children and teenagers in the United States ages 2 to 19 are obese or overweight, and it is our job as parents or caregivers to guide our children towards a more healthy lifestyle.
A great way to start is by providing them with healthy foods to control hunger between meals.
Here's a helpful snack guide...
...from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services for getting your youngsters on the path to a healthy weight:
Healthy snack ideas
- “Ants on a log” (celery with peanut butter and raisins)
- Fresh or canned fruit (in 100% juice, not syrup) with fat-free or low-fat vanilla yogurt
- Whole-grain crackers with low-fat cheese
- Frozen grapes (rinse and freeze grapes overnight)
- Whole-wheat bread or apple slices with peanut butter
- Quesadillas (low-fat cheese on a whole-wheat tortilla)
- Unsalted pretzels or air-popped popcorn
- Baked tortilla chips and salsa
- Whole-wheat pita bread with hummus
- Water or fat-free or low-fat milk
- Put fresh fruit in a bowl at eye-level in the refrigerator or on the kitchen counter. It will be easier for kids to see and grab.
On the go
- Put dried fruits and nuts, fresh veggies, or fruit in small baggies.
- Pack low-fat string cheese sticks.
Set the rules
- Teach your kids to ask before they help themselves to snacks.
- Eat snacks at the table or in the kitchen, not in front of the TV.
- Serve snacks in a bowl. Don’t let kids eat snack foods directly out of the bag or box.
- Drink water or fat-free or low-fat milk instead of soda or juice.
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