National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month Starts Next Week

Posted on August 24, 2010 by Cindy Haskin-Popp

 September 1, 2010 marks the beginning of a month-long initiative to increase awareness of the negative health consequences that our nation’s children are facing as a result of the obesity epidemic. Nearly one-third of American children are overweight or obese, putting them at an increased risk for developing high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. American adults need to take steps that foster healthy eating and physical activity habits in children that will promote proper growth and development while reducing the likelihood of excessive weight gain. 

Changes to lifestyle should be presented in a manner that positively engages children and that gives them a sense of mastery.  Simple steps can be taken in the home from which all family members can benefit. Some healthy lifestyle activities that you can do as a family, and with your neighbors and friends, to celebrate National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month include:

  • Host a healthy eating themed neighborhood block party.  Ask each neighbor to bring a low-calorie, low-sodium, and/or low-fat dish to pass.  Games and activities made available should be centered around healthy eating and physical activity.  For example, instead of having a pie or hot dog eating contest, try a corn-on-the-cob eating contest. Or, give the old tried-and-true potato sack race a whirl to encourage getting active in a fun way.
  • Recruit your child to help you sift through their old active gear, such as bikes, roller blades, skate boards, scooters, etc., that they have outgrown but can be donated to children in need.   This action will not only help to strengthen your child’s heart, but that of those who will be receiving these exercise-promoting items.
  • Make family game night active. Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you have to play a game of football if you are not a fan, a few rounds of charades should suffice.  The point is to get up and get moving.

For more ideas on how to promote healthy eating and physical activity in your children visit Healthier Kids Brighter Futures.

How do you plan on celebrating National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month?  Share with us, we want to know!

Posted in National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, adolescents, behavior change, children, family, family activities, family time, healthy eating, obesity | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sweet and Savory Saturday: Cheese-Filled Cinnamon Bread Sticks

Posted on August 21, 2010 by Cindy Haskin-Popp

Serve these Cheese-filled Cinnamon Bread Sticks for a Sunday Brunch.

I enjoy family brunch, especially when pastries and sweet breads are served.  Unfortunately, these can be high in calories and fat.  Today’s recipe, Cheese-Filled Cinnamon Bread Sticks, is a healthier alternative to one of my favorites.  The use of low-fat riccota cheese and egg whites helps to lower the fat content.

Cheese-Filled Cinnamon Bread Sticks - 8 servings

Ingredients

1 (8 ounce) package of reduced-fat refrigerated cresent roll dough

1/2 cup low-fat ricotta cheese

2 TBS egg whites

1 TBS honey

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1 TBS ground cinnamon (for topping)

1/4 organic sugar (for topping)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  In a small bowl mix sugar and 1 TBS ground cinnmamon. Set aside.  In medium bowl, combine cheese, egg whites, honey, vanilla, and 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon.  Set aside.  Unroll dough and separate into 8 sections.  Spoon about 1 TBS of cheese mixture onto each dough section, spreading evenly.  From the smallest corner of the dough, roll the dough toward the larger end.  Sprinkle the top of the rolled dough with the cinnamon sugar mixture.  Place on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake for approximately 7 minutes or until golden brown.

Posted in Recipes, breakfast, children, dessert, dessert recipes, family meals, low-fat, lunch, meal ideas, snacks | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is Popcorn a Healthy Snack?

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Cindy Haskin-Popp

Popcorn, a whole grain, can be a healthy snack that is a good source of fiber.

When you have the case of the “munchies” that can’t be denied, popcorn can be a healthy snack according MyPyramid.gov, a healthy eating food guide and interactive tool made available to the general public by the USDA.  Plain air-popped popcorn is a low-calorie, low-fat whole grain snack that is a good source of fiber.  Data published in the May 2008 Journal of the American Dietetic Association indicated that individuals who consumed popcorn on a regular basis had a 250% greater intake of whole grains and an estimated 22% increase in fiber intake compared to individuals who did not eat popcorn.

To keep your portion of popcorn healthy, try adding flavor with no-salt seasonings, such as barbecue and italian blends and avoid using butter or margarine.  If you have a hankering for a sweet popcorn snack, instead of reaching for caramel corn-which can be high in sugars and fat-try adding chopped dried dates or figs to plain air-popped popcorn.

What is your favorite way to eat popcorn?  Share with us, we want to know!

Posted in healthy eating, healthy food, healthy pantry staples, low-fat, snacks | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments