Kid-Approved Meals

By TopHealth

Kids can be tough customers when it comes to healthy meals. Battling and bribing aren't good long-term solutions. So how can you convince them to eat more nutritious foods?

Set a good example. Eat wholesome foods, watch portion size, stop eating when you're full and model a sense of adventure about trying new dishes.

Get them involved. Even small children can help pick out produce at the store, lend a hand in the vegetable garden, decide what to make for dinner and assist in making a meal.

Add appeal. Presentation can make a big difference. Use colorful plates, arrange vegetables into a smiley face on the plate, make sandwich kebobs or serve a frozen banana on a popsicle stick.

Make it more fun. Try creative names for dishes, especially those prepared by children (Peter's Perfectly Puffed Potatoes, anyone?), or use themes such as Italian night. Use low-fat dips to jazz up vegetables, or encourage your child to create a new recipe, such as his/her own version of trail mix.

Eat together. Whether it's takeout or a homemade dish, what matters is sharing the meal. Keep it relaxed and enjoyable. If family meals occur only once or twice a week, mark it on your calendar as a special event. Turn off the TV and avoid taking calls. And if teenagers are reluctant, let them invite a friend over.

Celebrating Valentine's Day with Food Allergies at School

7 Tips to Make Valentine's Day Safe and Fun for Everyone at School!

1. Speak to the teacher beforehand and remind him or her of your child's food allergies.
2. Ask that the teacher request no food be put in the cards. If food will be allowed in cards, provide the teacher with a list to send home so other parents know what is safe to put in your child’s Valentine’s cards.
3. Encourage the use of non-candy gifts for Valentine's Day cards such as:
   
• Handmade paper flowers or hearts
• Little toys from the dollar store or a party store
• Stickers
4. If food will be placed in the cards, request that the teacher ask that no students be allowed to open their cards until they are home.
5. Volunteer to help out with the party if there is one and offer to be in charge of snacks for the party.
6. Bring in a special safe snack for your child.
7. Double-check your child's cards and gifts before bringing them home.

WARNING!

On Valentine's Day, children receive a lot of candy. Make sure you check all of the candy before your children eat it. Many of the Valentine's candies are not processed in the same facilities as the regular candy, and also may not have an ingredient label. Children also receive unwrapped candy in their cards. If you cannot verify the ingredients, do not allow your child to eat the candy. Instead, exchange the candy with something safe that you have made or purchased.

This article is from the fourth booklet in a series for celebrating holidays with food allergies. For more information, tips and ideas, download the entire booklet:
Celebrating Valentines Day with Food Allergies

Is Your Food Safe to Eat for the Big Game?

By Diane Van

Have plans for the big game? We all know this day is more than just football. It’s the second-largest day for U.S. food consumption, next to Thanksgiving day.  Chips, wings, guacamole, chili – sounds like a good time right? It should be!

Don’t let this snack-filled day end in food poisoning. Food poisoning has lots of causes, including leaving food out too long. Here are some tips to ensure everyone enjoys the big game between the Giants and Patriots, and all the good food that comes with it.

Clean:  When preparing party foods, wash hands and surfaces often.

Separate: Use separate plates for raw and cooked food when grilling.

Cook: To the right temperatures.

Chill: Don’t leave food at room temperature for longer than two hours.

“More than 1.25 billion wing portions will be consumed during Super Bowl weekend in 2012, totaling more than 100 million pounds of wings, according to the National Chicken Council’s (NCC) 2012 Wing Report.”