Nutritionally Fit

Healthy Halloween Tips for Children

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. When I was a kid, I used to collect all my Halloween candy in a giant pillowcase and hide it under my bed for months, eating one piece of candy a night, saving the yucky candies for last. Now that I’m a mom and a dietitian, Halloween takes on a whole new definition…

Tips for Parents: Promoting a Healthy Body Image in Children

Body image is how we feel about our bodies. Whatever their size or weight, children and teens can develop either a positive or negative view of their bodies from a very early age. Body image disturbances begin as early as preschool, so parents need to play a pivotal role in promoting a positive body image for children. Young people with a positive…

Healthy Breakfast Ideas for School Kids

Before you send your kids out the door and off to school there may be something they’re missing – and it’s not their backpacks or lunches! Eating breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. Kids who eat breakfast are more alert, perform better on school tests and have fewer behavior problems than kids who skip breakfast. Conversely, breakfast…

Ask a Nutrition Expert – When Should My Kids Eat Snacks?

Unplanned random snacking can lead to problems, especially with weight. Nonstop snacking interferes with kids’ appetites and can disrupt their natural instinct to experience hunger and fullness. On the other hand, snacks can actually help kids achieve a healthy weight when they are timed correctly. Most children and teens need to eat every three to four hours throughout the day.    …

The Benefits of Teaching Your Kids How to Cook

If you’re like most parents, you’re used to facing resistance from your kids when you try feeding them something new. The more kids you have, the more challenging this attempt at novelty can become – I know, I’ve got four! You’ve probably tried various attempts at persuading them, such as explaining that the food is good for them, decorating or disguising the…

Should We Be Feeding Our Kids Organic Foods? What Exactly Does Organic Mean?

The other day I was comparing notes with a friend on recipes for our kids.  For one particular recipe, I mentioned that I always use organic meat and dairy because it tastes so much better.  She was a little surprised. “Really? I didn’t know it made any difference. I rarely get my children organic foods. Actually,” she smiled a little self-consciously,  “I’m…