I think one of my most challenging mom problems is keeping my children healthy. From everything I read, nutrition plays a huge part in my kid’s health. I am pretty good at making sure they get plenty of exercise and rest, and I also keep them up-to-date on immunizations. We visit the dentist regularly and the pediatrician, too. But I must admit my real challenges are providing snacks that taste great and that are also good for them. I did a lot of reading and searching and thought I would share what I discovered.
The Things I Should be Avoiding
I always thought that a glass of juice was a great way to quench their thirst and provide vitamins. Boy, was I wrong. Packed with calories and added vitamins, juice has very little to offer my kids. The sugar in the juice clings to their teeth, aiding and abetting tooth decay. Fiber and nutrients available in an actual piece of fruit are not accessible to my children in a juice box.
The rest of the list of foods to avoid I was pretty familiar with. Keeping track of calories and nutritional content can be a challenge. Your smart phone may have apps available that provide calorie and nutrition information. You may also be able to find a driver download that allows you to do the same thing.
The Foods I Should Embrace
Snacks made with whole grains, nuts, and fruit are at the top of my new snack list. After reading many books and searching sites, I have decided to make my kid’s snacks from scratch in my own home. Many commercially available snacks are loaded with corn syrup, unhealthy fats, processed flours, and chemicals that I would otherwise not even allow in my house. My children’s new favorite snack is a bowl of grapes and a slice of homemade whole wheat bread straight from the oven.