Worst Foods For Kids

<div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kKm5nvVZpC4jVcdbW7mkxuHW6L_WJUJJtdstrtP6HSccFTwW9nY8sxb-IG8eS_fR8LnxJnb50tNlunxVn94bECfhEwyKBq-I01ZvYWzLBliRDfxXZAWwEQsm-wd9ctHyWE8hrST3M6qU/s1600/Worst+Foods+For+Kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kKm5nvVZpC4jVcdbW7mkxuHW6L_WJUJJtdstrtP6HSccFTwW9nY8sxb-IG8eS_fR8LnxJnb50tNlunxVn94bECfhEwyKBq-I01ZvYWzLBliRDfxXZAWwEQsm-wd9ctHyWE8hrST3M6qU/s1600/Worst+Foods+For+Kids.jpg" /></a>Most kids, if given the choice, would live out their young lives subsisting on nothing but chicken fingers. If those chicken fingers happened to come from Chili's, they might be pretty short lives. An active 8-year-old boy should eat about 1,600 calories a day. This single meal plows through 70 percent of that allotment. America, we have a problem.<br /><br />Knowing firsthand the struggle with understanding what is good or bad since I was always the fat kid and then topping out over 500 pounds. I have analyzed kids' menu offerings at all the major chains, taken a hard look at packaged foods, and uncovered the truth about what this country is really feeding its children.<br /><br />The bad news is that many of America's food industry titans are pumping kids' meals full of added sugars, dangerous fats, and empty calories. But, there's great news, too: Kid's meals tell us a lot about how adults will fare, as well. Read on for all the dietary disasters, and an equal number of drive-through saviors, for everybody in the family.<br /><br />20. Worst Breakfast Cereal: Cap'n Crunch (1 cup) 147 calories; 2 grams (g) fat (1 g saturated); 16 g sugar; 1 g fiber. Sweetened cereals are among the most dominant sources of empty calories in a child's diet. Aside from the added vitamins, which are mandated by the government, this cereal is an amalgam of largely worthless food particles and chemicals. Buyers beware: Most cereals marketed to kids suffer similar problems. Eat this instead: Cascadian Farm Clifford Crunch. (1 cup) 100 calories; 1 g fat (0 g saturated); 6 g sugar; 5 g fiber.<br /><br />19. Worst Breakfast Pastry: Burger King Cini-minis with vanilla icing 500 calories; 21 g fat (6 g saturated, 5 g trans); 72 g carbohydrates. There is no worse way to start your day than with a combination of refined flour, sugar, and trans fats. What's more, studies show that overweight people who trade fast-digesting carbohydrates for more protein at breakfast have an easier time slimming down. Eat this instead: Burger King Egg & Cheese Croissan'wich 300 calories; 17 g fat (6 g saturated, 2 g trans); 26 g carbohydrates.<br /><br />18. Worst Side Dish: Bob Evans Smiley Face Potatoes. 524 calories; 31 g fat (6 g saturated); 57 g carbohydrates; 646 mg sodium. Not even an extended bath in hot oil would wipe the grins from faces of these creepy-looking potatoes. When you're eating out, side dishes make or break a meal, and with more fat and calories than Bob's sirloin steak, this side falls woefully into the latter category. The lesson for kids: Just because they're smiling doesn't mean they're nice. Eat this instead: Bob Evans Home Fries. 186 calories; 7 g fat (1 g saturated); 27 g carbohydrates; 547 mg sodium.<br /><br />17. Worst Home Style Meal: Boston Market kids' Meatloaf with Sweet Potato Casserole and Cornbread 580 calories; 29 g fat (12 g saturated); 780 milligrams (mg) sodium. What begins as beef ends up with 42 ingredients, including partially hydrogenated oil. What's more, the sweet-potato casserole is topped off with marshmallow, brown sugar, and molasses. Eat this instead: Boston Market Kids' Roasted Turkey with Green Beans and Cornbread 210 calories; 6 g fat (2 g saturated); 568 mg sodium.<br /><br />16. Worst Pasta Meal: Romano's Macaroni Grill Kid's Macaroni 'n' Cheese 600 calories; 31 g fat (20 g saturated); 1,720 mg sodium. This dish used to be more than double the size and caloric impact. The chain finally cut down the massive portion size. Thanks, Macaroni Grill. (P.S. It's still a disaster.) Eat this instead: Kid's Grilled Chicken & Broccoli 390 calories; 5 g fat (2 g saturated), 560 mg sodium.<br /><br />15. Worst Sandwich: Au Bon Pain Kids Grilled Cheese 670 calories; 41 g fat (25 g saturated); 1,060 mg sodium. Au Bon Pain turns a simple sandwich into a complicated mess, with just about as much saturated fat as 24 strips of bacon. Eat this instead: Au Bon Pain Kids Macaroni and Cheese 220 calories; 14 g fat (9 g saturated); 650 mg sodium.<br /><br />14. Worst Prepared Lunch: Oscar Mayer Lunchables Maxed Out Turkey & Cheddar Cracker Combo 680 calories; 22 g fat (9 g saturated); 1,440 mg sodium. The maxed Out line is the worst of the lackluster Lunchables, with an ingredient list that looks like the index of a chemistry textbook. Oscar Mayer even manages to cram in 61 grams of sugar more than you'll find in four Reese's Peanut Butter Cups! Eat this instead: Hillshire Farm Deli Wraps Smokehouse Ham & Swiss Wrap Kit with dressing (1 serving) 260 calories; 11g fat (4 g saturated); 960 mg sodium.<br /><br />13. Worst Fast Food Meal: Burger King Double Cheeseburger and Small French Fries 740 calories; 42 g fat (17 g saturated, 4.5 g trans); 1,410 mg sodium. Burger King's dubious double burger earns the distinction of being one of the fattiest meals for an on-the-go kid, with more than a day's worth of saturated fat for the average 8-year-old. To make matters worse, it's also loaded with trans fat and sodium. Eat this instead: Burger King Chicken Tenders Kid's Meal (4 piece) with Burger King Fresh Apple Fries 215 calories; 11 g fat (3 g saturated, 1.5 g trans); 440 mg sodium.<br /><br />12. Worst Pizza: Cosi Kids Pepperoni Pizza 806 calories; 40 g fat; 94 g carbohydrates; 1,423 mg sodium. Before your child eats this doughy, oversized pizza, consider strapping two boxes of Mozzarella Bagel Bites to her stomach to see if she likes the added bulk, because that's how many calories she stands to absorb. You're better off ordering in even two slices of a 12-inch pepperoni pizza from Papa John's is only 440 calories. Eat this instead: Cosi Gooey Grilled Cheese Sandwich 269 calories; 15 g fat; 22 g carbohydrates; 314 mg sodium.<br /><br />11. Worst Breakfast: Denny's Big Dipper French Toastix with Whipped Margarine and Maple Flavored Syrup 810 calories; 76 g fat (14 g saturated); 107 g carbohydrates. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and kids, after all, need energy to grow and play. But that doesn't mean you should let your children eat a breakfast twice in one setting. At this size, four French Toastix is three too many. Eat this instead: Denny's Smiley Alien Hotcakes with Sugar-Free Maple Flavored Syrup and Anti-Gravity Grapes 313 calories; 3 g fat (0.5 g saturated); 71 g carbohydrates.<br /><br />10. Worst Frozen Supermarket Meal: DiGiorno for One Garlic Bread Crust Pepperoni Pizza 840 calories; 44 g fat (16 g saturated; 3.5 g trans); 1, 450 mg sodium. Another reason to read the nutrition label: The name says it's made to satisfy a single appetite, yet it contains a child's full day of saturated fat and a giant glob of trans fat in the crust. Whether fresh or frozen, keep your pizza crust thin and it's topping pepperoni free. Eat this instead: Red Baron Singles Thin & Crispy 4-Cheese Pizza 300 calories; 14 g fat (8 g saturated); 600 mg sodium.<br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div>

Worst Foods For Kids

Most kids, if given the choice, would live out their young lives subsisting on nothing but chicken fingers. If those chicken fingers happen...

Read more »

Back-To-School Nutrition Tips for a Healthy Breakfast

<div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3sVFSyxT2Hlo4N5OHNRj0aKQLSig67977hwdT2XqVH89ST6o_P5x3iatYbaD-uOnEnRXBxGkTJzHUXtxBdyrZPxzN3vxbYPIMMBDDZxFLBhoSzJavT09YmUSlEh9OvPUARP7g5YhwX6i/s1600/Back-To-School+Nutrition+Tips+for+a+Healthy+Breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3sVFSyxT2Hlo4N5OHNRj0aKQLSig67977hwdT2XqVH89ST6o_P5x3iatYbaD-uOnEnRXBxGkTJzHUXtxBdyrZPxzN3vxbYPIMMBDDZxFLBhoSzJavT09YmUSlEh9OvPUARP7g5YhwX6i/s1600/Back-To-School+Nutrition+Tips+for+a+Healthy+Breakfast.jpg" width="320" /></a>The thought of providing a variety of health-promoting, kid-approved foods throughout the school year can certainly feel overwhelming!<br /><br />There's breakfast to consider, then snacks, lunch, more snacks, dinner, maybe another snack. Those kids can seem like bottomless pits at times!!<br /><br />I'd like to chunk this subject of kids' school days nutrition down into simple tips and strategies so we can feel less overwhelmed.<br /><br />Let's consider breakfast.<br /><br />The average North American breakfast typically revolves around some type of refined, processed grain - like cereal, toast or bread, bagels, quick-cooked oatmeal, and a variety of pastries.<br /><br />If we were to discuss the negative consequences of this single food choice alone, this would be a very lengthy article! Suffice it to say, there is an ever-increasing number of health professionals who agree that grains are not a requirement for optimal function.<br /><br />That's right. According to experts who study our healthier ancestors and our genetic connections, we do not 'need' grains. Especially cereal-type grains. Amongst other physiological ramifications of consuming grains, inflammation is one of the biggest problems that results. The more refined, the worse it is. It's a horrible way to start the day!<br /><br />So, what's a parent to do? Certainly 'whole' grains are an improvement over toxic refined grains. Better yet, choose more ancient grains, sprouted, soaked or fermented grains.<br /><br />So far, I'm not really making your life any easier, am I?<br /><br />Sorry about that - just wanted to make sure you're aware of the consequences of grain-centered meals. You certainly don't get this message if you depend upon sources like the food pyramid, do you? Money apparently speaks louder than health.<br /><br />Let's get back to breakfast.<br /><br />Here's a hierarchy of improvements to consider making:<br /><br />1) If you can eliminate refined grains, that would be the ideal option.<br /><br />2) If elimination isn't a realistic option right now, at least reduce the consumption of refined, processed grains.<br /><br />3) Upgrade your choices of grains when possible - at the very least, start with whole grains, and make sure there's no high fructose corn syrup. Look for high fiber content and low sugar. No artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors. Whenever possible, upgrade even further by choosing the sprouted, fermented or soaked traditional grains.<br /><br />But, THE most important thing to focus on with breakfast is to create a BALANCED meal.<br /><br />In order to provide the raw materials for optimal brain function, balanced emotions and mood regulation, and maximized physical performance, we need some healthy protein, natural fats, fresh fiber from vegetables and fruit, and some pure water as the drink of choice.<br /><br />I discuss these and the 5 basic food groups that our kids require for optimal health & performance in many of my articles, books and menus. I place these foods in something I call the Circle of Health. It's simple and clear enough that kids, too, can learn how to make healthy choices and structure health-promoting meals and snacks. I think it's important that they understand the importance of the choices they're making. It's a mom thing!<br /><br />Speaking of being a mom, I understand the temptation of serving cereal for breakfast. Kids love it. It's cheap (or can be). It's quick, easy and convenient. What's not to love?<br /><br />I also understand that it might not be realistic for you to completely eliminate these types of foods from your kitchen. That's OK - there are still ways we can add better health to this meal.<br /><br />If you're serving grains for breakfast, you can dramatically improve the overall health value of that meal by ADDING some fresh fruit, and a REAL food source of protein (that often comes with its own natural source of fat).<br /><br />Need an example?<br /><br />Let's say your kids are still having cereal for breakfast. Without even getting into the quality of the cereal or the quality and source of the milk, an immediate and simple improvement to that meal would be to start them off with fresh fruit first.<br /><br />Then, give them something with protein and natural fats, like a whole egg or a handful of raw nuts. If you can swing it, there are some excellent clean breakfast meats that lack the toxic chemicals and nitrites/nitrates... or you can just serve a bit of protein left over from last night's dinner.<br /><br />I like to think of it as "diluting" the negative effects of the grains!<br /><br />You know what you'll notice as you add protein, natural fats and fresh fiber (fruit & veggies)? Your kids will have more (balanced) energy, better focus, more balanced moods, greater performance... and a number of other overall health improvements, just by ADDING some things.<br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/<br /></div>

Back-To-School Nutrition Tips for a Healthy Breakfast

The thought of providing a variety of health-promoting, kid-approved foods throughout the school year can certainly feel overwhelming! Ther...

Read more »

Preparing Breakfast For Your Kids

<div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJAP9BOx-1Uh6Kl7g1ENSnFzQwHgBlWJqVW8ehy5RC5Wz9bkC2R_QPLiJGbIzZmtqkXkik7eEIsHJR9CabUyzMWC0klJ8-IcsotYdctgfxMhANjYo1DVlDRfCo5zQQBUyxgjVPykjAEtt/s1600/Preparing+Breakfast+For+Your+Kids.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJAP9BOx-1Uh6Kl7g1ENSnFzQwHgBlWJqVW8ehy5RC5Wz9bkC2R_QPLiJGbIzZmtqkXkik7eEIsHJR9CabUyzMWC0klJ8-IcsotYdctgfxMhANjYo1DVlDRfCo5zQQBUyxgjVPykjAEtt/s1600/Preparing+Breakfast+For+Your+Kids.JPG" width="320" /></a>It's a true fact that if you send your kids out to school in the morning with a nutritional breakfast inside of them, they will have the energy that they need to get through the day as well as giving their brain the goodness that it needs to help with the process of learning.<br /><br />If for any reason your kids do go to school without any breakfast, it is almost certain that they will spend the morning feeling tired and hungry, it is almost impossible to learn anything correctly when you are feeling tired all the time.<br /><br />There are a wide variety of things that you can give your kids for breakfast, why not make use of them.<br /><br />There's no need to always opt for cereal in the morning, you could try having waffles occasionally, that way when you wake up in the morning all you have to do is just pop them in the toaster and away you go, breakfast made simple.<br /><br />Any type of nutritious breakfast is ideal, it does not have to take forever to make, and something nice and simple will do the job, as long as the nutrition value is there.<br /><br />A couple of slices of toast in the morning are a good alternative, topped off with a bit of jam, a glass of fruit juice and away you go, or if you prefer the cereal in the morning, why not try a slice of fruit with it.<br /><br />A glass of milk contains plenty of vitamins and goodness that your kids need, if you are running late, why not give them a breakfast bar to keep them going.<br /><br />It will seem a long time from breakfast to lunchtime, so it is vital that you make sure that you send your kids off to school with a nice full tummy.<br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/<br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div>

Preparing Breakfast For Your Kids

It's a true fact that if you send your kids out to school in the morning with a nutritional breakfast inside of them, they will have th...

Read more »

Healthy Breakfast Tips For Kids

<div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAFNfoL3m_h6qU3IZtnyfhmia8Zd2_s4qzNEiQ68kF60Oc4AA_0LEbJmB4gU0iOBuQUPJdf3-gqJCDODDuIAWpLBOMjvNwVsSbemY3iOUcLvCtMki_NFVpxdnv3MDss9rX8t_yn7wSkhe/s1600/Healthy+Breakfast+Tips+For+Kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAFNfoL3m_h6qU3IZtnyfhmia8Zd2_s4qzNEiQ68kF60Oc4AA_0LEbJmB4gU0iOBuQUPJdf3-gqJCDODDuIAWpLBOMjvNwVsSbemY3iOUcLvCtMki_NFVpxdnv3MDss9rX8t_yn7wSkhe/s1600/Healthy+Breakfast+Tips+For+Kids.jpg" width="320" /></a>Breakfast is the biggest and most important meal of the day. You need to make sure that your kids take in a proper breakfast to be able to give them the right amount of energy that they need for the entire day. When your kids sleep during the night, the body uses up the energy that is stored in the cells and a correct breakfast will allow the body to recharge and get a jump start for the rest of the day. Aside from this, studies prove that children who eat a good breakfast perform better in school and grow faster as well. Don't think that giving your kids just anything will do, there are certain things that are needed to ensure that your child's body is fueled properly.<br /><br />There are four things that you will need to make sure to include in your child's breakfast: grains, protein, fruits and vegetables and dairy. Grains can be found in the form of cereals, bread and the like. These are the most needed by the body as you will see if you check out the kid's food pyramid. Next are proteins which you will find in meat, different kinds of beans and eggs. Fruits and vegetables should of several different varieties as much as possible. Finally, dairy can be gotten from different sources like milk, cheese and yogurt.<br /><br />Getting all these in the breakfast of your kids does not have to be so difficult. A bowl of oatmeal topped with fruits served with a glass of milk can easily meet all of these. Good combination's for fruits on oatmeal will include strawberries or an assortment of berries like blueberries and raspberries. Pancakes which are a well loved breakfast by many kids can be made better by making use of whole wheat flour, include bananas and walnuts in your batter for a serving of fruit and protein. Even a good old grilled cheese sandwich can be a nutritious breakfast.<br /><br />Add some ham to this for some protein and make use of whole wheat bread for some grains. Serve this with any type of fruit. Smoothies can bring bursts of energy and give your child a good head start for sure. Try an assortment of fruits and yogurt. This can easily be paired with any other breakfast food and can be drunk on the go too.<br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/<br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div>

Healthy Breakfast Tips For Kids

Breakfast is the biggest and most important meal of the day. You need to make sure that your kids take in a proper breakfast to be able to ...

Read more »

Kids Breakfast

<h3 class="post-title entry-title"> </h3> <div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1tt_0uAkGhXUZp5l0dCPLWuIDpRZg3eyuZDkNd5PKzejzuOzaif1tV8O1scnTzHkiVoG6eWICj8D_Kp_Q52kDekzL9sQamE3uviVC9lAyFjmNuSnSVv2dN4Ys9k2AkjePIfy3SeP3RU/s400/kids-breakfast.jpg" width="400" /></div> Today, food has become the object of Art. If your child doesn't want to eat breakfast, then you have a great opportunity to try to learn in this art! Imagine that a plate is a canvas, and the food is the paint. And turn on your imagination! There are a few simple ideas how to make cute<b> breakfast for your child</b>.<br /> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bje4mbtgMZaEn2zTIj-QhhiRaNqAGU71hf_B83yUbGoTjsmFEW1e2jEGb94kciutGJCFdow0C0DwDkefl1EUYYtxVA9XfadzfROFPeJdu7R-0c3CjWBu_yPKSRGGBQWJX2bVhvi1yj8/s1600/kids-breakfast1.jpg" /></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIox7HLPRX2IaQOKOQoPi0iXSpJmkFsCVo6Ej-GgdhdImMMg4Rm53BYA8Qo8g5439dIPnUk1kB0VRjcKGUKxodQuTv9FkIrhLICsOJokxRceiQbcMP4Whr5O3uUo8drFUyxXLh8QP-dU/s1600/kids-breakfast2.jpg" /></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSx1cgRfa534ZRg1x1ijf1NcTqCxbJPfl-fr8O2Vk4MkCYw8unnSxlbD76Zc8w_o6DmrgFTq6W_V4yW3kqgA-MEhDyY5YyqL72IroeIdHQBPldF2fkiBg1E0lw6_f1j43x6zNOwUpDdo/s400/kids-breakfast4.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkO8gyj3fd5AaW2ho-vxF4LBQ2X9E9bnGnzrmZb_FBFL10IdoF0yFoWyd_FW7_K7vIIVEYbH2NXu23WQ0USgmsjqiKNuubrVUgCpF3_7US3w1cmH3l9FBNyKza5G9bK3kFfdv-7YTWlgs/s1600/kids-breakfast5.jpg" /></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XGLBvI32Rk-cIdYmBbcLrxt56ehAU1JQ_7zHAKKK_xejJoYEqN1qDAXlXtgWbuqf6tt_hoXDbG5ookstsA8ktFs7mG48uLlfnT-L17VCjFwCX6d4Y1DADVEDTEEGCI_OvxjENhT9q0E/s400/kids-breakfast6.jpg" width="400" /></div>

Kids Breakfast

Today, food has become the object of Art. If your child doesn't want to eat breakfast, then you have a great opportunity to try ...

Read more »

Reasons to Eat a Protein-Rich Breakfast

<div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEf84RVORYCo08LQ8Ix2v-gedUnPTGBzzIjIefp4gMzh1mTfrmIhvyTPcuSaUjrZx_vc9spGGgS-TfPt7nmtMBnjnsCe_A3fTasnr0r0tjYwdIEw87vtHCQLviHFThA6oSmMD884-u_RA/s1600/Reasons+to+Eat+a+Protein-Rich+Breakfast.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEf84RVORYCo08LQ8Ix2v-gedUnPTGBzzIjIefp4gMzh1mTfrmIhvyTPcuSaUjrZx_vc9spGGgS-TfPt7nmtMBnjnsCe_A3fTasnr0r0tjYwdIEw87vtHCQLviHFThA6oSmMD884-u_RA/s1600/Reasons+to+Eat+a+Protein-Rich+Breakfast.png" /></a>Are You Making This Breakfast Mistake?<br /> <br /> For years my breakfast was either dry cereal or toast with jam. As I always ate whole grains, I thought I was starting my day off on a healthy note. I was utterly oblivious to how nutritionally lopsided my morning meal was.<br /> <br /> Void of much protein or fat, my carb-laden breakfasts launched my body on a wicked blood sugar roller coaster ride. The result: one cranky girl with brain fog, sporadic energy, constant hunger and mad carb cravings.<br /> <br /> Can you relate? If so, it's time to power up your breakfast plate.<br /> <br /> 5 Reasons to Eat a Protein-Rich Breakfast<br /> <br /> 1. Elevate Your Energy and Mind<br /> <br /> Protein is the only food source of amino acids. Amino acids produce mood-enhancing chemicals including dopamine, our natural energizer and mental focuser. A protein-rich breakfast will give you clear, sharp mental focus and lasting energy. Skip protein and you will feel slow, dull and scattered.<br /> <br /> 2. Boost Your Mood<br /> <br /> Protein's amino acids also create serotonin, a feel-good chemical that promotes happiness and well-being. Without a protein-packed breakfast, you may feel irritable, anxious or blue.<br /> <br /> 3. Curb Hunger, Eat Less<br /> <br /> A breakfast with high-quality protein and healthy fats can keep you full for 4 to 6 hours. Eat just a bagel, muffin or cereal and you'll soon be clamoring for a snack. If you're often hungry an hour after breakfast, you're most likely skimping on protein.<br /> <br /> 4. Burn Fat<br /> <br /> High-protein foods trigger the release of glucagon, a fat-burning hormone, unlike carbs, which stimulate the release of insulin, a fat-storing hormone.<br /> <br /> 5. Tame Your Sweet Tooth<br /> <br /> Protein helps stabilize blood sugar. A hearty dose of a.m. protein will help zap your 3 p.m. candy jar raids and nighttime ice cream binges.<br /> <br /> Balanced Breakfast Ideas<br /> <br /> Start your day off right with a breakfast containing 20 to 25 grams of protein, plus some healthy fats and smart carbs. Here are five high-protein foods with approximate grams per portion and serving suggestions:<br /> <br /> 1. Three eggs (18-24 grams) -- Make a veggie omelet with whole-grain toast or a scrambled egg burrito with a whole-grain tortilla, avocado and salsa. Hard boil eggs or freeze mini quiches for easy workday breakfasts and enjoy with fruit.<br /> <br /> 2. Four ounces (about the size of your palm) of lean meat, poultry or wild fish (20 g) -- Yes, you can eat lunch for breakfast! Layer turkey, chicken, salmon or sardines on whole-grain bread with avocado, tomato and arugula or spinach.<br /> <br /> 3. One cup cottage cheese (27 g) or plain Greek yogurt (23 g) - not fat free! -- Stir in fruit, cinnamon, flaxseed meal and raw nuts or seeds.<br /> <br /> 4. High-quality protein powder (1-2 scoops depending upon serving size) -- Mix into a green smoothie (recipe here ) or porridge made with whole grains (e.g., steel-cut oats, quinoa, millet), nuts and fruit.<br /> <br /> 5. Two tablespoons organic peanut butter (8 g) or almond butter (7 g) -- Spread on a sprouted-grain English muffin (8 g) and follow with protein powder (10-15 g) mixed with water or 100% fruit or veggie juice. (Not all sprouted-grain bread is high quality. I like Food for Life Ezekiel muffins located in the freezer section.)<br /> <br /> Breakfast Reboot<br /> <br /> Experiment with different dishes to find the right combination for your body; one that provides long-lasting physical and mental energy.<br /> <br /> Don't Forget the Kids!<br /> <br /> A protein-deficient breakfast impacts kids too. Sugary cereals and yogurts, refined-flour breads, pastries and fruit drinks will nose dive their mood, energy and concentration. Make sure their brains and bodies are well fueled with a balanced meal of lean protein (amount needed varies by age), healthy fats and whole grains.<br /> <br /> As a holistic health and wellness coach, Renee Pletka, CHHC, helps busy worker bees ditch their junky eating and lifestyle habits so they can blast fat, stress and low energy without giving up everything they love, like wine or chocolate! Her personalized programs give clients a deeper understanding of what food and lifestyle choices work best for them. With her guidance, they make changes that are easy, enjoyable and everlasting. Clients shed pounds, amplify their energy, boost their mood, improve digestion, shrink stress and more--all without rigid rules, gimmicky diets or deprivation<br /> <br /> Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div>

Reasons to Eat a Protein-Rich Breakfast

Are You Making This Breakfast Mistake? For years my breakfast was either dry cereal or toast with jam. As I always ate whole grains, I th...

Read more »

Healthy Breakfast Ideas For Kids

<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name"> </h3> <div class="post-header"> </div> <div align="justify"> <img alt="creative and healthy meals for kids" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/34/e5/8f/34e58f514dfe6d859fbf99304c417f6d.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 5px;" title="creative and healthy meals for kids" /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> You don't need us to remind you that eating a healthy breakfast is a good idea. But since the same bowl of oatmeal every day can get boring, you might need a few new ideas for what to eat in the morning. "Whether you are headed to the gym or on your way Want more smoothie ideas? We’ve got 10 great ones for you right here. 5. Egg and Avocado Breakfast Pizza Eggs and avocado pair perfectly together for a filling breakfast that is rich in both protein and healthy fats. In fact, recent research found that But, what about breakfast? I've always been a stickler about making time for breakfast. Even as my kids got older, I wouldn't let them And then there are healthy carbs that give you energy over a longer period of time. So, I can't justify eating Celery, peanut butter and raisin "ants on a log" are so yesterday. For a new, sweet (but still healthy!) twist on the classic kids' snack, swap dark chocolate chips for the raisins and add an animal cracker for a fun effect. Amp up a healthy snack by "Companies take a junky cereal with a lot of sugar and add fiber to make parents think it's healthy for their kids," says Liebman. "If one-third of the bowl is sugar, it's breakfast candy. Putting in a touch of fiber or whole grains does not make the sugar Children who don’t continue reading during the summer can fall behind in their school work. Parents need to encourage reading as something pleasurable to do as opposed to another task on a “to do” list. The same goes for healthy eating habits. .<br /><br />This week on The Juice the topic is all about one of my favorite ways to start the day, breakfast! I just adore breakfast. In fact, I have never skipped breakfast, at least not for as long as I can remember. No matter what I always make time for breakfast Don’t skimp on breakfast, it’s quite simply the most important meal of the day. Breakfast might just be the last thing on your to-do list in the morning, “but as you’ve been told many times before, a healthy breakfast is the most important meal of With eggs, toast and cereal topping the list of all breakfast ideas across health journals, how about trying out some nutritious and healthy Indian breakfasts instead? Long blamed for being unhealthy, it is possible to enjoy delicious Indian food without where the kids seem to moving like molasses in January, and you are short on time, and short on patience. After a few years of perfecting my morning routine of waking up my child, making a quick, simple, and nutritious breakfast, and then packing luch for .</div> <br />

Healthy Breakfast Ideas For Kids

You don't need us to remind you that eating a healthy breakfast is a good idea. But since the same bowl of oatmeal every day ...

Read more »