The Love of Table Sugar! Do your kids love sugary foods and snacks? Do they go nuts for drinks that pack in the sugar? Do they expect a sweet cookie, cupcake or ice cream for dessert day-after-day? If you answered, yes, you are not alone. Sadly, sugar-rich treats are on the top of many kids' want-lists. But, table sugar isn’t what kids’ bodies need nor is it great for your dental bill. It's time to set kids up for a successful new school year, academically and nutritionally! Steering Away from Too Much Table Sugar! As a registered dietitian, I help caring parents steer their kids … [Read more...] about Back-To-School with Less Sugar and More Good Nutrition!
Healthy Car Snacks for Vacation or Not
Car Trips and Snacking My friends usually laugh at me when I pull out a 'pocket snack' while on the road. Actually, I'm one of those people who carries a snack just about everywhere I go. Yes, maybe I'm driving 4 hours or 8, or maybe I'm just headed to the other side of town. When you pack up your car for vacation, or a much shorter drive, do you include healthy snacks? Why Bring Along Healthy Car Snacks? My 3 favorite reasons to be smart with snacking in the car boil down to adding a burst of physical & mental energy, saving money, and cashing in on an opportunity to eat a fruit … [Read more...] about Healthy Car Snacks for Vacation or Not
3 Easy Ways to Eat Fall Apples!
Apples are Full of Good Nutrition! Next time you bite into a 3-inch diameter, fresh & crunchy fall apple, here's what your body will get: 90 calories; 0 fat; 0 sodium; 20-25 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 0 protein. But, that's not all. Antioxidants in apples are super good for vascular health and they can help keep your brain young & healthy along with the rest of your body. 3 Easy Ways to Eat Fall Apples! Dip them: Pick out any variety of apple, cut it into eighths, and dip it. There are many choices of dip such as hummus, peanut butter, sunflower butter, … [Read more...] about 3 Easy Ways to Eat Fall Apples!
3 Nutrition Labels Kids Can Learn to Read
When the kids come along on a grocery trip there is so much to learn, including how to choose a healthy boxed food. In the fall, children need good nutrition more than ever because they are fueling their brains along with their bodies for success in school. My earlier blog about back-to-school and healthier eating is here. The age of a child matters as far as how much she/he is ready to learn. From about 6-8 years old, depending on reading level, it can be a perfect time to work on food and nutrition label skills. With a wide variety of food products in every grocery store, here are 3 … [Read more...] about 3 Nutrition Labels Kids Can Learn to Read
Baked Meatballs are the Best
Everyone Loves Meatballs I'm not sure I've ever met anyone who dislikes meatballs. Even my friends who are vegetarians usually like - yes - vegetarian meatballs. Sounds a bit unusual, maybe, but you can actually make them from lentils, chickpeas, soybeans, oatmeal, quinoa and brown rice. The list of interesting, plant-based ingredients goes on and on. For this blog, I'm going to stick to meatballs made from meat and I hope to expand your horizons on all the possibilities. Have you Tried Baked Meatballs? Instead of frying, I have a really easy recipe that I use to make baked meatballs. … [Read more...] about Baked Meatballs are the Best
5 Tips for Healthy Back-to-School Lunch!
School Success is Linked to Nutrition Success Parents and kids are getting fired-up for a new school year. There is so much to learn for everyone and, for parents, how to pack up a tasty and kid-pleasing lunch is one top priority. Check out my earlier blog about school success and nutrition success going hand-in-hand. And, here are 5 tips to get parents going in the right direction from planning to grocery store to school cafeteria for your kids. Tip #1: Make a weekly plan - before Monday morning. Set aside time to plan what you'll need for 5 days of tasty, nutritious lunches for your … [Read more...] about 5 Tips for Healthy Back-to-School Lunch!