If your child is attending summer camp, chances are you are packing their lunch for the entire day. Healthy kids start at home. Whether it's a sports camp or a cool pool camp at the YMCA, kids are there for hours and that means taking a lunch. With childhood obesity on the rise, packing a healthy lunch is essential.
"We asked kids, ‘ok do you kids like fruits and vegetables?’ ‘Oh yeah, oh yeah,’ ‘well what type of fruits and vegetables do you have in your lunch?’ And they may show us fruit snacks and truly think that that is a real fruit and of course it’s not," said Kathy Mennillo, registered dietician.
And that is why parents need to pack lunches with healthy options like yogurt and mandarin oranges in low calorie Jell-O. To help the kids get the suggested five to nine servings of fruit and veggies a day, include pre-packaged servings of pineapple, grapes or apples. Low fat cereals like Cheerios or baked gold fish are popular. Keep goodies to a limit.
The 100 calorie snack packs are great. If kids get to dig for their own treats, as a parent, know what is offered.
If your child is attending summer camp, chances are you are packing their lunch for the entire day. Healthy kids start at home. Whether it's a sports camp or a cool pool camp at the YMCA, kids are there for hours and that means taking a lunch. With childhood obesity on the rise, packing a healthy lunch is essential.
When it comes to yummy snacks like candy, nutrition experts say it's ok to allow them to have it, just keep it to a limit of under 300 calories a day.
Avoid fruit juices and pack water instead. Fruit and other low fat snacks like raisins, graham crackers or dried cranberries can keep the family healthy. And given the choice, not all little ones would prefer junk food.
Madison is planning for her future, her future health, that is.
"I want to be healthy and I want to be strong," said Madison.