Much like adults, children have constant access to unhealthy foods. Unfortunately, a lot of this access comes during the school day in the form of pizza, French fries, soda, and cookies. Fortunately, if you're following the eating principles of the South Beach Diet
, you're setting a great example for your children, which is the first step toward teaching them healthy eating habits. Need more tips to encourage your children to eat healthfully while at school? Here are some helpful strategies:
- Involve your children in the decision-making process. Ask them what foods they would like to have for lunch, and gently steer them toward healthy options. For example, does your child like salty snacks? Pack nuts or high-fiber, whole-grain crackers.
- Include at least one "fun food" in their lunch bags, which will teach them that healthy food can also be cool. Good fun choices include fresh fruit with natural peanut butter for a dip, reduced-fat cheese sticks, and sugar-free gelatin or pudding cups. Another option for young children is to cut whole-grain sandwiches into fun shapes with cookie cutters. Or give them foods they can assemble themselves, like sliced cheese, lean deli meats, and whole-grain wraps.
- Liven up veggies. Cut up an assortment of colorful, crunchy dippers (think red peppers, carrots, and cucumbers), and pair them with hummus or a South Beach Diet-approved salad dressing (packaged in a sealable container).
- Provide entertainment in the form of notes, stickers, and certificates. This turns an ordinary lunch box into a fast-food-style kids' meal (minus the unhealthy trans and saturated fats and processed carbs) so your child will be more likely to enjoy the rest of the offerings.
Dr. Arthur Agatston, preventive cardiologist and author of The
South Beach Diet, is also dedicated to improving children's health. In 2004, Dr. Agatston founded The Agatston Research Foundation with the goals of improving the heart health and wellness of the nation through research, education, and prevention. One of the studies being conducted and funded through the foundation is The Healthier Options for Public Schoolchildren (HOPS) Study, which is designed to test the feasibility of improving school meals and snacks in a public school setting. For more information on HOPS -- and to read about the other research funded and conducted by the Agatston Research Foundation — visit the Research section on the Agatston Research
Best Bets for Breakfast Rush
It's not always easy getting your kids to eat breakfast as you're rushing to work and they're rushing to school. Still, as you've learned following the sound nutrition principles of the
South Beach Diet, it's important for every member of your household to eat a healthy breakfast. Thankfully, the first meal of the day doesn't have to be a big production. Here are a few simple ways to squeeze in the morning meal and set your family up for a successful day.
- Make breakfast the night before. Try a tasty, grab-n-go South Beach Diet recipe like Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Cups or a Sunrise Parfait.
- Keep the basics on hand. Nothing's easier (or quicker) than a bowl of high-fiber, whole-grain cereal and low-fat milk or a container of artificially sweetened low-fat yogurt. (When choosing a cereal, look for one with less than 8 grams of sugar per serving.) Balance out the meal with a piece of fresh fruit.
- Pack breakfast. If you or your child is running late, pack a to-go meal. Low-fat cottage cheese, mixed nuts, and part-skim mozzarella cheese sticks are quick and handy choices.
- Sign up for school breakfasts. All children who attend schools participating in the School Breakfast Program are eligible to partake in breakfast, regardless of income. Consult your administrator to find out if your child's school offers breakfast for its students.
