As an alternative to sandwiches or salads, or as accompanying side items, here are some additional wholesome, lunch bag-friendly options. Keep the three basic building blocks (smart proteins, fiber-rich carbs, and a calcium rich food) in mind to put together a winning a la carte lunch. -Finger-friendly or cut up fresh fruit—fresh strawberries or blackberries, […]
If you can reach the age of 45 free of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and tobacco use, you can breathe a huge, heart-felt sigh of relief. Based on a landmark analysis undertaken to determine how various cardiovascular risk factors at various ages impact the risk of heart disease, the expected […]
The food industry knows that many of you are aware that omega 3 fats are the darlings of the healthy fat world, and they are finding very clever ways to exploit these essential fats as “added value” in their products. You can now find a growing list of “omega 3 fortified” foods including: peanut butter, […]
Kick start your day with one of my three favorite healthy breakfasts: A bowl of steel cut oatmeal mixed with 2 heaping tbs of 100% canned pumpkin topped with a small handful of chopped pecans or walnuts, a liberal dash of cinnamon, 1 tbs of wheat germ and a tsp of dark brown sugar or […]
Building the Best Lunch To keep your children’s bodies and brains in peak performance mode and to safeguard against the ravages of unhealthy foods, be sure your child powers up with a nutritious lunch. The three basic building blocks for the best lunches include: Healthy protein Fiber-rich carbs, to include at least one serving of […]
In an attempt to evaluate the scientific efficacy of various interventions to boost intelligence in young children, researchers recently identified three effective strategies. For this evaluation intelligence experts did a comprehensive review of the best published studies. They noted the following IQ boosters: Supplementing the diets of pregnant women and newborns with omega 3 supplements […]
Some breakfast cereals contain more than 50% added sugar by weight! Don’t let the one gracing your cereal bowl be one of those! Based on a review by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit research and advocacy organization, the 10 cereals with the highest sugar content (by percentage weight) are: Kellogg’s Honey Smacks (55.6%) Post […]
Here are some of the studies I reviewed relating to children’s health: In a study involving 312 middle school students, those with the highest fitness levels had the best grades and scored higher on standardized tests. (I have no doubt that the quickest and most powerful way to improve academic performance is with school-based exercise […]
A presentation at the International Association for Dental Research reported for the that the citric acid in sports beverages causes significant tooth enamel erosion compromising tooth integrity and predisposing to fissures and cracks. I consider sports beverages a close cousin to soda and never recommend their use except for those engaging in vigorous physical activity […]
As a mother of 4, I know that getting kids to eat their veggies can be a challenge. Here are some tips that have proved effective in my household. Go stealth. Shred veggies (or buy them already shredded) carrots, zucchini, cabbage, broccoli, etc. and add to meatloaf, spaghetti sauce, lasagna, and baked goods like muffins Add canned pumpkin or […]
A “family’s influence” on a child’s nutrition is profound. In a report that included combined data from 17 earlier studies, researchers concluded that children and teens that ate 3 or more meals a week as a family were significantly less likely to be overweight and 20 to 25 percent less likely to eat junk foods and […]
Consuming breakfast with a nice dose of protein may be a powerful strategy to help us eat less, especially later in the day. In a novel study conducted in a group of overweight young adults who regularly skipped breakfast, researchers found that including a protein-rich breakfast reduced appetite throughout the day and decreased evening snacking. For the […]
