Sugar can be difficult to pass up, especially when you're a kid. Today's children are regularly subjected to sugary diets and uninformed eating habits. Although parents may not be giving their children foods that are high in sugar intentionally, there are steps that can be taken to help kids avoid the pitfalls of sugar, such as obesity and dental disease.
• Monitor snacking choices. Provide healthy foods to eat. Ration empty-calorie foods such as sugar-packed sweets. Instead, offer healthy alternative snacks such as fresh vegetables and fruits and low-fat yogurt with no added sugars.
• Beware of the juice box. Most fruit drinks are low in vitamins and high in sugar. And many contain less than 10 percent real fruit juice. Look for low- or no-sugar substitutes or provide water when kids are thirsty.
• Teach your kids good oral health habits. Sugars are going to find their way into young mouths eventually. In addition to regular brushing and flossing, make sure to visit the dentist twice a year - chances are, your dental insurance will cover that preventative work 100%.
• Be a role model. Probably the most important step is to practice what you preach. Most children learn by watching their parents. When you try to teach a child good behavior, incorporate these same principles into your own everyday actions. Words that conflict with your actions can be confusing to developing minds.
To get you and your kids started on your new healthy eating and snacking adventure, here are 2 yummy (and healthy) recipes to try. Enjoy!!
Fruit Sundae Cones
ingredients
· ¾ cup cut-up strawberries
· 3 cups cut-up fruits, such as apples, bananas, cherries, seedless red grapes, kiwifruit, plums, and/or peaches
· 6 large waffle cones
· ¼ cup toasted coconut (optional)
directions
Place strawberries in a blender container; cover and blend until smooth. Place desired fruit in bowl; gently toss together. Spoon fruit into cones. Drizzle with the strawberry puree. If desired, top with coconut. Makes 6 cones.
Yam and Jam Muffins
ingredients
· 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
· 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
· 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
· ½ teaspoon baking soda
· 1 teaspoon apple pie spice or ground cinnamon
· ¼ teaspoon salt
· ½ of a 17-ounce can sweet potatoes, drained (about 1 cup)
· 1 beaten egg
· ½ cup milk
· 1/3 cup fruit jam or preserves (such as plum, strawberry, peach, or apricot)
· ¼ cup cooking oil
· 1 recipe Jam Icing (see recipe below)
directions
1.Lightly grease twelve 2-1/2-inch muffin cups or line with paper bake cups; set aside.
2.In a large bowl combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, apple pie spice, and salt. Make a well in center of flour mixture; set aside.
3.In another bowl mash the drained sweet potatoes with a fork. Stir in egg, milk, jam, and oil. Add sweet potato mixture all at once to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy).
4.Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-fourths full. Bake in a 400 degree F oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden and a wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in muffin cups on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from muffin cups. Cool slightly. Drizzle muffins with Jam Icing and, if desired, top with additional jam or preserves. Makes 12 muffins.
Jam Icing: In a small bowl stir together 3/4 cup sifted powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon fruit jam or preserves (such as plum, strawberry, peach, or apricot), 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, and enough milk (2 to 3 teaspoons) to make icing of drizzling consistency. Makes about 1/4 cup.
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