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Healthy snack idea - Make snack kabobs. Put cubes of low-fat cheese and grapes on pretzel sticks.

Group games for school-age kids

Breast-feeding benefits moms and babies 

Games for toddlers

Healthy habits for healthy kids

• Set healthy, realistic goals
• Mealtime tips  
• Eating a balanced diet
• Importance of activity 
• Healthy eating out with kids

Healthy snack idea - microwave a small baked potato. Top with reduced-fat cheddar cheese and salsa.

 

 

Parents

What About Soda for Kids?

Kids are drinking soft drinks but keep in mind that these beverages have no nutritional value and are high in sugar. Drinking these sugared drinks is associated with tooth decay and obesity. Many of them often contain caffeine, which kids don’t need. A concern is that soft drinks may be taking the place of calcium-rich milk. Studies are finding that kids are drinking 8 ounces of soda and fruit drinks (not including 100% fruit juice) and drinking less than the recommended 16 ounces of milk each day.

If kids start drinking sodas when they are little, chances are they will drink increasing amounts as they get older. In older kids and adolescents, drinking soda has been linked to excessive weight gain and other problems. As a rule, don’t serve soda to babies, toddlers, or preschoolers. With older kids, let them know it’s a once–in-a-while beverage. Soda should not be banned entirely as that is likely to make it even more alluring and kids will overdo it when they get the chance.

Your Baby and Juice

Fruit juice is not needed by infants younger than six months. After six months, pasteurized 100% fruit juice (not a fruit drink) is an option. Don’t let your baby drink too much juice. Four to six ounces of juice a day is more than enough. Offer the juice in a small cup at mealtime. Do not put juice in the bottle, covered cup or juice box. This can promote sipping juice throughout the day. Drinking too much juice can dull your infant’s appetite and keep them from drinking an adequate amount of breast milk or formula. It can also lead to too much weight gain. Juice should not be put in the bedtime bottle.

Breast feed — it's healthy and saves money

Breast-feeding is well-known for the health benefits it provides to both mom and baby but it is also a huge benefit to your pocket book. Money saved on breastfeeding can really add up quickly.

• A year of “standard” formula can cost $ 2650.00
• A year of “specialized” formula can cost $ 6750.00

What would you do with the extra money? 

 

 

Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator for children and teens

CDC has an online tool to calculate BMI-for-age for kids and teens. It displays numeric results, a graphic that shows the weight category, and plots the BMI on a printable growth chart.

Healthy snack idea - spread a scoop of frozen yogurt on two graham crackers and add sliced banana to make a yummy sandwich.

Parents and caregivers checklist for preventing childhood obesity

Help your child: get active by limiting your child’s TV and computer time. Offer them active options like joining a recreation center or taking lessons in the sport they enjoy.

Games for preschoolers

Help your child: eat more fruits and veggies. refrigerate cut up fruits and vegetables in small bags for easy snacks on the run.

Small Steps Change of the Month

Ask for more vegetable toppings (like mushrooms, peppers, and onions) and less cheese on your pizza.