Helping Your Kids Eat Heart Healthy Diets

February is Heart Health Month and LCCAA Head Start knows that early habits last a lifetime. Experts tell us that a heart healthy diet is low in saturated fat, low in sugar and high in fiber.

What does that mean for you and your kids?

“You want to have food on hand that’s good for your kids and prepare meals that are both tasty and appealing to look at,” said Elizabeth Wright, a Clinical Dietician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “Over time, you’re kids will grow to prefer the healthy options.”

Saturated fat contributes to high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease. Consider lower fat dairy products and be sure to cook with lean meats. Serve fish when you can.

Sugar affects the body’s metabolism, contributing to fat storage and weight gain which can impact heart health.

Serve water instead of juice. Juice has almost as much sugar as soda. When you do serve juice, dilute it with water and limit portions. Don’t keep sugary cereals or snacks in your home. If you do, you and your kids will eat them!

Fiber naturally helps remove unhealthy cholesterol from the body. Serve more fruits and vegetables and keep them on hand for snacks. Experts recommend five servings every day.

Choose whole grains and buy cereal with at least 3 grams of fiber per serving (and little or no added sugar). Include beans with meals when you can.

For more tips, visit https://www. chop.edu/centers-programs/ clinical-nutrition/health-resources