Here are some suggestions for parents from the National Institutes of Health and Grainaissance, a natural foods company, on how to help your children maintain a healthy diet:
• Eat meals together as a family and not in front of the television. Encourage your kids to eat slowly and savor the food.
• Keep healthy snacks on hand such as fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen fruit juice bars and low-fat cookies such as graham crackers. Something many parents may not be familiar with is a nutritious bake and serve rice puff called Mochi (moh-chee). Made from organic, whole grain brown rice without any animal-derived ingredients, additives, preservatives or colorings, Mochi is also cholesterol-free, wheat-free and gluten-free.
“There are growing numbers of children who have gluten or dairy intolerances,” says Elaine Monarch, executive director of The Celiac Disease Foundation. “Mochi is a healthy snack that kids really like and even those on restrictive diets can eat it.”
Mochi is low in sodium, fat and calories. It’s also fun to make. “Kids will enjoy watching these snacks puff up in the toaster oven,” says Monarch. Mochi is available in a variety of flavors including Raisin-Cinnamon, Pizza and Chocolate Brownie.
• Don’t use food as a reward or punishment. Children should not be placed on restrictive diets, unless done so by a doctor.
• Involve your children in meal planning and grocery shopping. This helps them learn how to make good choices.
• Focus on small, gradual changes in eating. This helps create habits that will last a lifetime.
Grainaissance Mochi can be found in the dairy or freezer case at natural food stores. For more information and snack ideas, visit www.grainaissance.com or call (800) GRAIN-97.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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