- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- iparenting fitness articles
- iparenting fitness q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Whole Foods Are Gifts from Nature
Processing the Importance of Whole Foods
By Donna Smith
1. Switch Your Candy Bowl with a Fruit BowlIf candy is available and convenient children will eat candy, Gordon says. If there is no candy, children can't eat it. The key is to plan your children's snacks so when they are hungry you have nutritious, healthy food ready for them. "For example, my wife makes a fruit salad with cut up pineapple, mango, oranges and blueberries that kids just love," he says.
This is just a simple way to make sure they are receiving more nutrients, anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals in their diet. Vegetable choices may include green beans, broccoli, asparagus, dark green lettuce, peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, garlic, etc. Make a stir-fry with chicken, tofu or fish and add veggies for a tasty lunch or dinner. "Or serve veggies with baked fish, organic chicken (now sold in most supermarkets), tofu or antibiotic- and hormone-free meat such as Maverick brand," Gordon says. "Maverick brand beef offers ground beef as well for healthier hamburgers that kids love."
Children's bodies are made up of about 70 percent water. "They are not made of soda or the chemicals in soda," Gordon says. "Sugary soft drinks are considered one of the main causes of childhood obesity and studies show that children who drink more soda eat less vegetables and fruits."
According to Gordon, fruit juice is pure sugar while homemad smoothies with whole fruit have fiber that slows down the absorption of sugar into your child's bloodstream. Smoothies made from whole fruit also have more nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants. "My favorite smoothies include blueberries, which have 10 times the antioxidants as other fruits and vegetables," he says.
