Tips for Healthier Snacking-Kid Style

In my constant quest to find after school snacks, I came up with a few ways that might help you, too!

Give your kids a say. Offer comparable choices, such as regular or frozen yogurt, celery or carrots, whole-grain toast or whole grain crackers, apples or oranges. Better yet, recruit your children's help at the grocery store when you're selecting snacks or in the kitchen when you're assembling snacks.

Designate a snacking zone. Restrict snacking to the kitchen. You'll save your children countless calories from mindless munching in front of the TV.

Make it quick. If your children need to snack on the go, think beyond a bag of potato chips. Offer a handful of almonds, walnuts or sunflower seeds, string cheese, yogurt sticks, cereal bars or other drip-free items.

Don't be fooled by labeling gimmicks. Foods marketed as low-fat or fat-free can still be high in calories. Likewise, foods touted as cholesterol-free can still be high in fat, saturated fat and sugar. Check nutrition labels to find out the whole story.

Go for the grain. Whole-grain snacks - such as whole grain pretzels or tortillas and low-sugar, whole-grain cereals can give your children energy with some staying power. I find that Kashi cereals are a super source of fiber and protein!

Out of sight, out of mind. If the cookie jar is full, your children will probably clamor for cookies. But if there is fresh fruit or raw veggies instead, these may seem more appealing. Try putting some fruit in a beautiful bowl in the center of the table for better "grabbing".

Play with your food. Ask your children to make towers out of whole-grain crackers, spell words with pretzel sticks, or make funny faces on a plate using different types of fruit. Use a tablespoon of almond or peanut butter as glue.

Think outside the box. Offer something new, such as fresh pineapple, cranberries, red or yellow peppers, or roasted soy nuts. Slice a whole-wheat pita and serve with hummus.

Mix and Match. Serve baby carrots or other raw veggies with fat-free ranch dressing. Dip graham cracker sticks or fresh fruit in fat-free yogurt. Top celery, apples or bananas with peanut butter.

Revisit breakfast. Many breakfast foods - such as low-sugar, whole-grain cereals and whole-grain toast make great afternoon snacks. Again, Kashi is a good choice!

Use the freezer. Mix mashed bananas and peanut butter, spread between graham crackers and freeze. For a new twist on old time favorites, freeze grapes or peeled bananas, or fill an ice cube tray with juice or pudding.

Have fun. Use a cookie cutter to make shapes out of low-fat cheese slices, whole-grain bread or tortillas. Eat diced fruit with chopsticks. give snacks funny names. try the classic "ants on a log" celery topped with peanut butter and raisins or make up your own.

Sweeten it up. Healthy snacks don't need to be bland. To satisfy your child's sweet tooth, offer frozen yogurt or frozen fruit bars.

Pull out the blender. Use skim milk, fat-free yogurt, ground up flax seeds, a dash of flax oil and fresh fruit to make your own smoothies. Smoothies are a great way to "hide" the good stuff.

Promote independence. Make it easy for older children to help themselves. Keep a selection of ready to eat veggies in the refrigerator. Leave fresh fruit in a bowl on the counter. Store low-sugar, whole-grain cereal in an easily accessible cabinet, and stock fruit packaged in its own juice.

Remember your leftovers. A small serving of last night's casserole might make a great snack.

Drinks count too. Offer your children plenty of water between meals. Liven it up with shaped ice cubes, a crazy straw or a squirt of lemon, cranberry or other fruit juice.

Keep it safe. Make sure your childrens snacks are age appropriate. Never give foods that pose a choking hazard such as nuts, raisins, whole grapes or popcorn to children younger than age 4.

Practice what you preach. Let your children catch you munching raw vegetables or snacking on a bowl of grapes.

Be patient. Your childrens snacking habits may not change overnight. Look for positive changes over weeks or months.

Happy Snacking!

Kellogg's: Keeping Up with Healthy

Below is a posting I found today regarding Kellogg Company's Progress towards health and nutrition. This move shows that consumer influence is strong. So, keep "voting" with your fork because what consumers want, they will get. Demand clean food products that are more nutritious! Let me know what you think of this report below, by emailing me at Beth@RestoringEssence.com

Kellogg Co. Reports Progress In Health And Nutrition Initiatives
06/13/2008

Kellogg Co. reported on the progress it has made in its ongoing health and nutrition initiatives to help consumers successfully manage both sides of the calories in/calories out equation. A year ago, Kellogg announced that it was undertaking two major initiatives to further strengthen its commitment to meeting consumers' health and nutrition needs by adjusting what and how the company markets to children, and through front-of-pack nutrition labeling and education.

"More than a century ago, our founder W.K. Kellogg said, 'We are a company of dedicated people making quality products for a healthier world,' and we've been devoted to that principle ever since," said David Mackay, president and chief executive officer, Kellogg Co., in a prepared statement. "Today we're sharing the latest progress in our ongoing journey, and we're exploring how we can continue to make a positive impact on consumer health, working together with our industry peers, government, academics, communities and stakeholders around the world."

The Kellogg Global Nutrient Criteria, a global standard based on a broad review of scientific reports, is being used to determine which products the company will market to children. The Nutrient Criteria were shared with key stakeholders prior to being finalized to gather feedback and to ensure that the Nutrient Criteria aligned with consumer needs.

When Kellogg announced its commitment in mid-2007, about 50 percent of its products marketed to children around the world met the Nutrient Criteria. Since then, significant efforts have been made across the globe to both renovate certain existing products and introduce new products that meet or exceed the Nutrient Criteria. By the end of 2008, approximately 70 percent of the company's products marketed to children will meet the NutrientCriteria; that's 20 percent more products with improved nutrition credentials. In
keeping with Kellogg's commitment, as of Jan. 1, 2009, any remaining products that do not meet the Nutrient Criteria will no longer be marketed to children under 12.

Kellogg reformulated a number of its cereals including Froot Loops(R), Corn Pops(R), Rice Krispies(R), Cocoa Krispies(TM) and Apple Jacks(R) in the U.S. with improved nutritional profiles that now meet the Nutrient Criteria. Kellogg is pleased to report that consumer research demonstrates that the cereals deliver the same great taste consumers know and love.

Kellogg also recently launched a number of new product choices in the U.S. including:

* All-Bran(R) Strawberry Medley cereal contains 10 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein per serving;
* Kellogg's(R) Frosted Flakes Gold(R) cereal is made with 3 grams of fiber and 10 grams of whole grains per serving;
* Mini-Wheats Unfrosted(R) cereal offers the lightly toasted, whole-grain wheat cereal with 6 grams of fiber per serving and no added sugar;
* Special K(R) Cinnamon Pecan cereal offers weight managers another great-tasting variety without sacrifice; and
* All-Bran(R) Fiber Bars and All-Bran(R) Fiber Drink Mix, which both contain 10 grams of fiber.

Kellogg recently updated its Worldwide Marketing & Communication Guidelines, which govern all of the company's marketing communications globally, to reflect the Kellogg Global Nutrient Criteria commitments. Kellogg is also a founding member of several industry "Pledge" marketing initiatives currently in place such as the Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative in the U.S., and similar initiatives in Canada, Thailand and the EU, which demonstrate the industry's collective commitment to effective self-regulation. The company continues its efforts working with industry and other stakeholders to expand and strengthen self-regulatory programs around the world.

My New Addiction

Wow, you have to try my new addiction! I stumbled upon MANGO, an amazing new product and yummy treat from a company called, The Raw Choice. The dried Mangos are made with ONLY organic mangoes (no funny sweeteners).

This all-natural alternative to candy is so tasty, I keep a package in my purse, car and next to my computer and chew away when hunger hits. With 2g of dietary fiber per serving, this 2g-of-protein snack rates high on my list. Research has shown that dietary fiber has a protective effect against degenerative diseases, especially heart conditions and certain types of cancer, as well as lowering blood cholesterol levels. Mangos are also a great way to replenish lost potassium during exercise.

Mangos, known to many as the "king of fruit", really do make you feel great. Beyond being delicious, this comfort food is rich in vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants, as well as an enzyme with stomach soothing properties. These comforting enzymes act as a digestive aid and add to that feeling of contentment we experience while indulging in this this sweet tropical treasure.

Go ahead, feed your cravings for something sweet in Mango; tell them Beth sent you!