Snacking 101 (part 2)

Because between-meal munching often adds up to a substantial portion of young kid's diets, even small changes in what snacks we serve - & when & how we serve them - can make a HUGE difference. In fact, you can alter a child's entire day's nutrients! Try to: serve more fruits & veggies.

Kids don't get near the 2 to 3 cups of fruits & veggies they should. By replacing the calorically dense snacks (like chips & cookies) with fruit & veggies, I decreased the amount of empty calories my daughter took in. And, along with that, replaced them with LOTS of vitamins & minerals...

Kids learn to love fruits & veggies when exposed to them early & often. And whatever you do, don't give up! My daughter consistantly tells her guests/friends that they should try this veggie or that fruit because, "I didn't like it at 1st either, but now I love it!"

You can't buy that publicity, hmmmm?

Snacks 101 (part 1)

This subject is so extensive that I am quite sure it will be part 1 of 2 (maybe 3???). Snacks are so often confused with "special treats" (ie; candy, soda, ice cream, potatoe chips etc, etc,....) that it's enough to want to ban all snacks from my child's menu!

But snacks are essential for children because they have small stomachs. However, whatever snacking my daughter does throughout the day (according to nutritionists) should provide only about 20% of her total calories. Nutritionists recommend that toddlers get 3 snacks a day; preschoolers & school-age kids up to 8, two; kids 9 & older, one.

But even more important than how much she nibbles is what she nibbles on! The 1st step I took was to try to stop thinking of snacks as something prepackaged. That's because, in most cases, a prepackaged snack is sweet or salty-in other words, calorie-packed! In our house we call that a treat.

Do you have a favorite healthy snack your child loves? Please share them with me!!!! Next time we'll talk about how to make small changes in the snacks we serve....

Talk Up Healthy Eating

The more your child knows about nutritious foods, the better choices she'll make. Get her involved in grocery shopping! I have done this since my daughter was a toddler & now do it with a friend's daughter whom I watch.

We will talk about whether this or that food has lot's of sugar in it. Or does it help your eyes or your tummy or your bones etc, etc,... It is a fun way of getting kids to think about what they put in their boddies & how it may or may not benefit them.

Next time you're at the store with your little ones, give it a shot. It can be a lot of fun & it might be a bit of an eye openner when you realize how much they may or may not know!