by Pennie Sempell
Be wary of food billed as healthy for kids that “just ain’t so”. Obesity and over-weight is a growing problem for children. Well-intentioned parents are being fooled by deceptive marketing. Shopping for my family, I spent what seemed like hours scouring the shelves of the local super market reading labels, and rejecting many items as close to junk, before finding healthy choices.
This article will help you fill your shopping cart with the better choices. Please share this article with friends who have children!
Food for thought, and foods to avoid:
1. “Kids yogurt” – Read the label. Right after milk, do you see high fructose corn syrup and sugar, artificial flavorings and colors? Not good. I suggest real yogurt without all the additives. A teaspoon of natural low-sugar raspberry jam can give it added zing and color!
2. “Kids Meals” – These can be loaded with sodium and high fat foods with little nutritional value, but chock full of calories. Ask for a half-size adult portion, or split yours with your child.
3. “Breakfast bars” – Again, read the label You’ll probably see refined flour in first position, and sugar next. More empty calories that won’t really help your child. A better choice is to make up some oatmeal with diced up apples or raisins on top.
4. “Fruit snacks” – Despite fruit depicted on the front of the package, beware. There may be more corn syrup, sugar and artificial flavors, than any kind of real fruit. The label will give the info. A better choice? Banana slices. A handful of organic grapes.
Remember: “Low fat” may still be “high sugar”. Don’t be fooled. Corn syrup is almost certainly a GM (genetically modified) food, which I avoid as much as possible, as do my adult children. It is pervasive in sweetened foods.
Hint! The healthier choices are usually located on the perimeter of the market, not in the center aisles.
Pennie Sempell is an integrative health therapist and wellness educator who works with children and adults of all ages and needs. Pennie has taught preschool in Washington, D.C. and California, and directed an aquatic fitness program for children. She has earned numerous professional certifications in mediation and peer counseling, research-based mind-body therapies, and traditional healing art therapies.
Visit her new site for FREE resources: www.healthierhappierlife.com
Be wary of food billed as healthy for kids that “just ain’t so”. Obesity and over-weight is a growing problem for children. Well-intentioned parents are being fooled by deceptive marketing. Shopping for my family, I spent what seemed like hours scouring the shelves of the local super market reading labels, and rejecting many items as close to junk, before finding healthy choices.
This article will help you fill your shopping cart with the better choices. Please share this article with friends who have children!
Food for thought, and foods to avoid:
1. “Kids yogurt” – Read the label. Right after milk, do you see high fructose corn syrup and sugar, artificial flavorings and colors? Not good. I suggest real yogurt without all the additives. A teaspoon of natural low-sugar raspberry jam can give it added zing and color!
2. “Kids Meals” – These can be loaded with sodium and high fat foods with little nutritional value, but chock full of calories. Ask for a half-size adult portion, or split yours with your child.
3. “Breakfast bars” – Again, read the label You’ll probably see refined flour in first position, and sugar next. More empty calories that won’t really help your child. A better choice is to make up some oatmeal with diced up apples or raisins on top.
4. “Fruit snacks” – Despite fruit depicted on the front of the package, beware. There may be more corn syrup, sugar and artificial flavors, than any kind of real fruit. The label will give the info. A better choice? Banana slices. A handful of organic grapes.
Remember: “Low fat” may still be “high sugar”. Don’t be fooled. Corn syrup is almost certainly a GM (genetically modified) food, which I avoid as much as possible, as do my adult children. It is pervasive in sweetened foods.
Hint! The healthier choices are usually located on the perimeter of the market, not in the center aisles.
Pennie Sempell is an integrative health therapist and wellness educator who works with children and adults of all ages and needs. Pennie has taught preschool in Washington, D.C. and California, and directed an aquatic fitness program for children. She has earned numerous professional certifications in mediation and peer counseling, research-based mind-body therapies, and traditional healing art therapies.
Visit her new site for FREE resources: www.healthierhappierlife.com
