Are your children heavy? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of overweight children has tripled to 17 percent from a generation ago.
Childhood obesity creates a number of health risks, including high blood pressure and cholesterol, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Plus, obese children are more likely to become obese adults.
Considering the fat-laden options on children’s menus at restaurants, it’s no surprise that the abundance of available fries and pizza aren’t helping our kids’ health.
Dr. Christine Wood, practicing pediatrician, author, instructor on healthy lifestyles for parents and children and member of USANA’s Scientific Advisory Council, offers her tips for dining out with your children by suggesting healthy, but tasty alternatives that kids will love.
Here are her tips on how you can take control of your family’s healthy food intake during the busiest time of the year.
- Avoid or limit eating out at typical fast food restaurants. Find healthier choices. For example, order the roasted chicken (instead of chicken nuggets at McDonalds) with fresh steamed vegetables.
- Share meals between family members to cut down on portion sizes for both child and parent. You will also save money this way. Add a side of vegetables or salad and take home leftovers to pack the children’s lunches for the next day.
- Watch soda intake. Negotiate with your kids to make water or milk their kids. Many restaurants offer unlimited soda, so if they choose soda, set the limit to one. Sodas should be an occasional treat.
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