News You Can Use
Choose healthy options for summer snacking
University Relations
News Bureau (662) 325-3442
Contact: Kenneth Billings
May 15, 2008
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Providing daily meals and snacks for the kids is among the biggest challenges moms and dads face when schools dismiss for the summer months.
All too often, the "freedom" of summer finds school-prepared nutritional meals giving way to at-home convenience, not to mention the overpowering urge by youngsters to consistently feed their sweet tooth.
"Parents often turn to quick-fix options for meals and snacks like microwave meals and frozen pizzas," says JuLeigh Baker of Mississippi State University's health education and wellness department. "While the options definitely are convenient, they tend not to be the healthiest alternatives, especially with kids being less active.
"Most processed foods and snacks are loaded with fat and sugar that can lead to obesity," she adds.Baker urges parents to opt, instead, for more nutritional quick fixings, among them selections such as those offered under the "Healthy Choice" brand.
For even healthier options that remain tasty and appealing, she recommends keeping fresh, low-fat sandwich meats on hand or making easy-fix breakfasts and lunches from recipes available at the MSU Health and Wellness Web site www.health.msstate.edu/health/recipe.php.