Cherie Gough
Smart
Snacking for
Heart
Health Look for Snacks that Contain: • Whole grains and fiber • Fruits and vegetables • Nutrient-rich protein • No refined sugar
If your family is like mine, you may
have “eaten your feelings” last year — snacked your way through 2020 while stuck at home, indulging in comfort foods and favorite treats to maintain the emotional roller coaster.
February is American Heart Month, a great time to mindfully develop (or re-establish) better eating habits and take charge of heart health. To take the guesswork out of identifying snacks that offer the most benefits, we’ve compiled expert snacking tips and a list of healthy, kidfriendly foods.
Why be concerned with kids’ heart health? “Obesity starts very young,” says Children’s Physicians Medical Group Pediatrician Dr. Ahmad Bailony, “and the pediatric obesity rate shot up during the pandemic.” If bad eating habits continue, they have long-lasting consequences on children’s health. Bailony reports
16 • SanDiegofamily.com • February 2021
an increase in the number of teens developing metabolic syndrome, which causes high blood pressure and liver damage. Make healthy living a priority for the whole family so children will follow your lead to adopt a similar lifestyle.
Ants on a log (peanut or almond butter and raisins on celery)
Create Healthy Habits
Popcorn (air-popped; not microwave popcorn)
Keep in mind that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Dr. Bailony suggests that parents and caregivers choose snacks for kids that add value to their diets, just like they do at mealtime. Good options provide a balance of nutrient-rich protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and nonrefined sugar. “Limit baked goods to special occasions,” he says.
15 Kid-Approved HeartHealthy Snacks Plant-Based Apple slices Carrot sticks Roasted chickpeas Veggies with hummus
Whole Grains Peanut or almond butter on whole-grain toast Whole grain crackers with guacamole
Healthy Proteins Cheese and whole grain crackers Fruit and veggie smoothie Greek yogurt Nuts and seeds Sweeter Snacks Baked apple with cinnamon Unsweetened dried fruits (raisins, apricots, etc.) Frozen banana Fresh fruit salad
What about prepackaged or low-fat snacks? When my daughter and I discussed this article topic, she said, “Duh, Mom.
