Elizabeth Ward on the Today Show
Yesterday, I talked about healthy snacking for kids on the Today Show. Here’s my philosophy in a nutshell: Snacks should be mini meals, not meal wreckers.
Mom, forget about the Goldfish, pretzels, and crackers. Kids are snacking so much now - they get about 25% of their calories from between-meal noshing - that snacks should be packed with good nutrition.
You wouldn’t serve your child a pile of orange-colored crackers and a juice drink for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, would you? I knew you would say no!
When you feed your kids foods you’d serve at a healthy meal for snacks, you don’t need to worry about taking the edge of their appetite, and chances are, children will get the nutrients they need.
Check out the segment here. I had a lot of fun with Hoda and Mark!
Great piece on the Today Show, Liz - very good tips!
Comment by Alisa Winters — June 10, 2010 @ 2:14 pm
Elizabeth, I whole-heartedly agree! Nice job and important message.
Comment by Jill Castle — June 13, 2010 @ 11:56 pm
I think crackers (I try to find ones with 3 or more grams of fiber) and pretzels (I like Newman’s Own with Spelt) are great additions to snack time as long as you are providing something else like hummus or cheese with them. Carbs are necessary.
Comment by teachersf — June 14, 2010 @ 1:58 pm
Carbs are a must! What a great suggestion. Thank you!
Comment by Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD — June 16, 2010 @ 7:52 pm