Raising a Healthier America
The rising childhood obesity rate for African Americans is alarming. In African-American girls and boys, the overweight and obesity rates are almost twice as high as they are for Caucasian children in the same age group, according to figures from the National Center for Health Statistics. Research also shows that encouraging children to adopt good eating habits early can help lead to a healthy adulthood. The responsibility lies with parents to provide their children with a platform for maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle. Ensure that your child is getting their proper nutrition intake at home. By doing this, they will more likely make healthier eating decisions on their own.
Wake up! It’s time for breakfast.
We all know breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day. It helps lessen fatigue, irritability and sluggishness. Research shows that children who eat breakfast perform better on standardized achievement tests and have fewer behavioral problems in school. Don’t let breakfast get boring. Spice it up by introducing new dishes to the table instead of the regular milk and cereal bit! Try LAWRY’S® Scrambled Eggs Ole’ recipe for example. It’s a wholesome dish guaranteed to help kick-start your child’s morning the right way.
School time, lunch time!
When your child goes back to school, it’s hard to guarantee that they will choose to eat a healthy lunch. Here are a few tips that will help you steer them in the right direction:
- Let your children assist in packing their own lunch. Provide plenty of tasty choices for them to choose from.
- Place healthy choices in front of them. Let your child choose between carrot sticks or celery, apples or grapes, milk boxes or 100% juice boxes, peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a turkey sandwich.
- Add variety to your child’s lunch. Try not to pack the same thing for them everyday.
- For those whose children buy their lunch at school, know what options the school is providing. Parents can request the school lunch menus in advance.
Just a snack away from a wholesome day!
It is also important that your child’s energy is consistently replenished through out the day. Help your child make healthy snack choices. Provide them with new healthier options such as light popcorn seasoned with LAWRY’S ® Seasoned Salt. LAWRY’S® Seasoned Salt has a third less sodium than regular salt.
Dinner is on!
End the day with a wholesome dinner. Alternative cooking methods such as grilling, baking and slow-cooking always trumps fried or microwavable dishes. Lose the grease, but don’t lose the flavor with recipes such as Vegetable Soul Medley, Dijon and Honey Pecan Chicken or even Grilled Turkey Dinner Pouches. Finish dinner off with a light desert. Try Grilled Fruit with Sweet Velvet Sauce.
For additional nutritional tips, facts and recipe options browse through LAWRY’S recipes. Remember a healthy eating platform begins at home!
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