CoAbode

In today’s society it’s not easy to feed our children a nutritious meal. Ease, convenience, time, budget, picky eaters…all of these factors. What’s easy? What’s nutritious? What’s hype?

Here a few quick and easy suggestions that may ease the burden of choosing nutritious foods your children.

• Buy baby bottles of water. Kids will be more apt to drink them if they can carry around on their own.
• Fresh fruits/veggies can be affordable. Kids love baby carrots and celery sticks. Add a little low fat peanut butter and you have a nutritious delicious snack.
• Avoid white starches-look to whole grain alternatives: whole grain bread (at least 3g fiber a slice). Put low fat peanut butter and real preserves on whole grain bread and kids will love it. Added bonus, the fiber in the bread will keep them sustained for a longer period of time. Great for lunches.
• Slip a high fiber, great tasting granola or bran bar in their book bag for an afternoon snack.
• For dessert, always have some low fat yogurts and puddings on hand. Always a favorite! Also buy real fruit bars in place of fudge bars, popsicles and ice cream. Although some low fat ice cream. Serve in a decorative coffee cup for portion control.
• Avoid the “100 Calorie Pack” fad. Frankly, it can get expensive. A more sensible solution is to use zip-lock snack size bags, and place enough for one serving.

By following some of these quick and easy suggestions, your kids will be getting the nutrition that they need without even knowing it! And when choosing foods for your children, use common sense. Does this seem healthy/nutritious? Does this sound too good to be true? Stick with the nutrition trends that have stood the test of time.
Your kids will be happier, healthier and will develop good eating habits that they carry into adulthood.

By Jaclyn Maupin