Snacks to Avoid in Lunch Box Packing!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

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Hey, parents. Now that school is fully in swing, are you running out of ideas for your child’s lunchbox? Or maybe you’re running low on healthy snacks?

We know sometimes prepackaged items or ready made snacks are quick for the hectic morning, however, most of these foods aren't good for your child’s overall health!

Here are a few foods you should avoid packing in your child’s lunchbox this school year. Let us know what kind of snacks you pack for your children on our Facebook page!

Packaged Juice or Sports Drinks: Sweetened juice boxes and sports drinks contain tons of sugar and calories. Try packing your children with a water bottle of green tea.

Chips: All types of chips, including corn chips, potato chips, and cheese doodles are high in fat, salt and calories. If your child craves chips, try making your own kale chips or sweet potato chips to curve the salty cravings.

Cookies, Cakes and Muffins: Prepackaged cookies and cakes are rich in high-fructose corn syrup and trans fats. Try to avoid these and lunchboxes all together. If your child craves sweets, pack them dried fruits or organic cookies.

Fruit Snacks: Fruit snacks are filled with high fructose corn syrup and artificial colors and flavors. Pack whole fresh fruit instead or homemade fruit leather.

Crackers: Most crackers are made with refined flour and a lot of sugar. Select crackers that are made with whole grain. 

Take Advantage of All LI Has to Offer!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

School will be back in session before you know it. However, there is still a little time left to enjoy summer!

Have you taken advantage of all the places you can celebrate the summer sun on Long Island? Here is a list of some of the top places to bring your children in the last few weeks of summer. Let us know which Long Island Hot Spot is your children’s favorite on our Facebook page.

• Splish Splash
• Long Island Game Farm
• Captree State Park
• Bethpage Ballpark
• Old Westbury Gardens
• Adventureland
• Wood Kingdom
• White Post Farms
• Long Island Aquarium
• Bayville Adventure Park
• Long Island Children’s Museum
• Cradle of Aviation Museum
• Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium
• Vanderbilt Museum

Healthy Snacks for your Child!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Snacks don’t have to spoil your child’s appetite (or their teeth). Especially for children, healthy snacks should be a staple of their diet!

According to MyPlate, a balanced diet for your child should include:

Photo Source: Wikipedia

• Fruits and vegetables - Combined these should be half of what your child eats every day.
• Grains - Make sure at least half of their grains are whole grains, such as oatmeal, whole wheat bread and brown rice.
• Dairy - Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy foods.
• Lean proteins - Make lean protein choices, such as lean beef, skinless poultry and fish. Try to vary protein choices to include eggs, beans, peas and legumes, too. Eat at least 8 oz. of seafood a week.

Most foods contain some type of sugar, which can contribute to tooth decay. As you know, children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak, and have bright, shining smiles! So be sure to keep an eye on the amount of sugar your child consumes to avoid future problems.

Need some healthy snack ideas that fit into MyPlate’s guidelines? Try some of these!

• Ants on a log – spread peanut butter on celery sticks and sprinkle them with raisins
• Homemade bagel bites - Whole-grain English muffin with sauce and low fat cheese
• Cottage cheese with cut-up peaches, nectarines, pineapple, or bananas
• Canned salmon mixed with low-fat mayo and spread on baked whole-grain crackers or celery stalks

 And, as the temperature heats up – try dipping a banana in yogurt, rolling in crushed cereal, and freezing it for a tasty frozen treat!

For more nutrition information please visit: http://goo.gl/DiQUh