When choosing snacks, I always recommend fruits and vegetables as alternatives to the various refined carbohydrate crackers, cookies, “O” shaped cereals and the like. Offering your children (and yourselves!) nutrient-dense, fiber-filled fruits and veggies not only will provide antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, but also reduce the consumption of refined carbohydrate snacks which ultimately break down to sugar, and provide little benefit. This excess of refined carbohydrates may be the reason for unnecessary weight gain and difficulties ... << MORE >>

Bones and Sponges, what do they have in common?

I am teaching lessons on nutrition and healthy eating to the campers at JCYS Grand Slam Tennis Camp in Highland Park this summer. Last week, my lesson was on calcium and healthy bones. Bones are made up of a spongy interior which requires calcium to maintain strength and prevent deterioration of the bone structure. Without calcium, adults and even children, can develop osteopenia or osteoporosis << MORE >>

I am trying to "practice what I preach" and eat more fish. Most research says, it is important to get at least 2-3 servings of fatty fish per week for the Omega-3 content. 

Grilling season is here, the weather is warm, this is the perfect time to indulge in fish for a light, healthy dinner.  I purchased a beautiful piece of salmon this week while doing my grocery shopping on Peapod

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Protein? How much does my child need?

 

Protein is essential to a child’s diet for many reasons. For one, protein builds and repairs tissues such as skin and muscles.  Protein also makes antibodies that fight disease and enzymes that aid digestion. With picky eating habits, or restrictive allergen-free diets, making sure your child is getting the right amount of protein can be a difficult task.  How much protein should your child be consuming daily?  Protein recommendations for children ...

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When you think of "good health", it is not just about what you eat, but also how much physical activity you and your children get every day!  Recent research from Harvard's Brigham and Women Hospital indicated that women require a minimum of one hour moderate physical activity each day to prevent weight gain. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions from Ron Krit, Fitness Trainer and Consultant with Sprout Fitness.

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PREBIOTICS, different from PROBIOTICS, are found in certain foods and provide nourishment to probiotic bacteria. In other words, prebiotics are food for the beneficial bacteria living in your gut. In addition to stimulating growth and/or activity of beneficial bacteria, prebiotics have many health benefits for the host (YOU!). The most well-known prebiotic is fiber, which ...

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The term probiotics literally means “for life”, and is used to describe beneficial bacteria that colonize in the gut.   Probiotics have been shown to provide health benefits such as enhancing immune function, assisting with lactose intolerance, and reducing the risk of certain diarrheal illnesses.   Some studies also report that certain probiotics can play a role in reducing allergies in children, managing relapse of some inflammatory bowel conditions, and just keeping healthy people ...

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Game day is approaching. THE most important day of the year for football fans, not just for Saints and Colts fans. The Super Bowl is one of the biggest "holidays" for most households. To many, this day brings together friends and family, but it also may be the highest calorie consuming day of the year. To help curb your caloric intake, see below for some great recipes that won’t overfill your fuel tank. Remember to ...

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I had the great opportunity to speak at the law offices of Mayer Brown right here in downtown Chicago on healthy nutrition for kids. We had an excellent discussion about how to plan healthy meals for children, common nutrient deficiencies, and I answered questions on how to manage picky eating. 

See article below!
http://h20cooler.wordpress.com/2009/12/16/mayer-browns-parenting-group/

Ask me to speak about nutrition at your next meeting!

I recently started writing for AllergySense.com. Check out my latest post.

http://www.allergysense.com/blog/2009/11/05/top-10-superfoods-for-celiacs/