Did you know?? Childhood Obesity is on the rise Children who are obese are more likely to develop: Heart disease High blood pressure High cholesterol Type 2 diabetes

Check out this chart! Look how childhood obesity rates have changed from

High Sugar Intake - Candy, Soda (high fructose corn syrup) Fried Foods and other fatty cooking products - Margarine, shortening, animal fats Packaged Foods - Refined flour, sugar, salt, Empty Calories, No nutrients (makes you feel hungry soon after eating!) No Body Movement!! Children today spend free time in front of the tv or computer, Get children outside to play and exercise their bodies and minds! The major causes of childhood obesity are:

Sugar intake dramatically impacts children’s behavior, particularly their energy levels and sleep patterns. Children should eat a balanced meal which includes whole grains, protein, fiber, calcium to get their calories. You should limit high calorie foods that offer NO nutrients (cookies, chips, candy, soda, donuts, etc…) Sweets and juices are loaded with sugar/calories that do not provide the essential components of a balanced meal. In addition, they don’t fulfill your child’s hunger needs, prompting your kids to be hungry very soon after eating these snacks. What you Need to Know about Sugar!

Walk the Walk: Be a good role model, show kids how to eat healthy by your actions and behavior. Listen to your child on healthy food experiences. Most important is being around in our kid’s life, to have fun and do all the fun things that they like to do. Let’s show our kids “Love” and accept your child NO MATTER WHAT! Be flexible! Chiquita’s tips for Involving your Kids in healthier lifestyle

Let them help, involve your kids in the kitchen: Take kids to the grocery store to get them familiar with shopping. Let them help with making a grocery list. Things your child can do to help with meals: Help with menu selection. Carry groceries into house. Unload grocery bags and put things away.

Let kids help preparing foods: Retrieve items from the refrigerator Pick herbs, fruits, or vegetables from the garden Wash fruits and vegetables Check out these kid-friendly recipes...

Oven Fried Chicken Ingredients: 1 cup finely crushed cornflakes ¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder ½ cup evaporated skim milk 1 pound chicken breasts, skin removed and cut into 6 pieces ½ tablespoon vegetable or olive oil 1 clove garlic finely chopped Preparation: Place an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat oven to 350F. In a small bowl, combine cornflakes, salt, ground black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Place evaporated milk in a separate bowl. Dip chicken pieces in milk and roll in crushed cornflake mixture, lightly coating both sides. Oil a roasting pan with vegetable or olive oil and arrange chicken pieces on the pan in a single layer. Bake for 30 minutes.

Brown Rice Crispy Treats Makes 24 squares Preparation Time: 5-8 minutes Ingredients: 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 cup brown rice syrup 2 tablespoons almond butter 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 6 cups dry natural brown rice crispy cereal Optional additions:½ cup peanuts, raisins or currants, chocolate chips, almonds Put oil in a large pot and heat. Add rice syrup and nut butter. Stir and heat until bubbles form. Turn off heat and add vanilla exact. Add cereal and mix well with a spatula. Stir in optional items and mix lightly. Put mixture into a greased 9-by-13-inch pan. With slightly wet hands, press mixture flat. Let set to room temperature. Slice and serve. Lasts a week in an airtight container.

Sources Produce for Better Health Foundation. 5 A Day the Color Way: The Colors of Health. paigns/colorway/colors.php paigns/colorway/colors.php United States Food and Drug Administration. How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label. merInformation/ucm htm merInformation/ucm htm