KTK-Nutrition

Many of us are trying to cut back on calories and thus cut back on fat calories.   But do you need some fat?   The answer is yes.    Fat is important for many reasons but one is that fat soluble vitamins need some fat to be absorbed.   Thus, you may not want to use a fat-free dressing on your salad but a dressing with some fat.   If you want to cut back on fat calories, you can choose the light or reduced fat version of dressing and not the fat-free version.    In the classes I teach, many students come up with a snack for kids of carrots and Fat-Free Ranch Dressing.   Carrots are a healthy food but serving it with Fat-free Ranch means you won’t be absorbing all the nutrients in those carrots.   Not to mention the child will be hungry in no time as carrots are low in calories and Fat-Free Ranch also is low in calories.   Are there health benefits to using salad dressings with some fat such as regular Ranch or Light Ranch dressi...

Last week we talked about small changes you could make for a healthier you.   I had gathered some ideas from Jo-Ann Heslin, a registered dietitian.    I have adapted some of her suggestions for small changes families with children can make to be healthier. What are some small changes you as a parent can make for a healthier child?        1.    Eat together – in today’s go, go lifestyle so many families no longer eat together.   At least a few times a week plan a family, sit-down meal together.   Cornell University recommends eating together as a family at least 3 times a week.   Family meals means a focus on the family, so turn off the TV, the cell phones and focus on the kids.   According to Cornell University, ( Do Famiy Meals Really Make a Difference? ), family meals have huge health benefits:           a.        Children are 24% more likely to eat health...