Foods and drinks loaded with high fructose corn syrup and genetically altered foods are two major contributing factors to the rising childhood obesity rates in Georgia. "Georgia has the 2nd highest childhood obesity rate in the U.S. Nearly 40% of Georgia’s children are overweight or obese," according to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
With the government subsidized, cheap, altered corn syrup appearing as an ingredient in everything from sodas to bread, where do parents turn for help? There has to be an alternative that children will want to eat, is filling and satisfying, and affordable.
KIND fruit and nut bars was the brainstorm of Daniel Lubetzky, the founder of PeaceWorks Foods, a company that encourages "economic cooperation among neighbors striving to co-exist in conflict regions worldwide." Not only is the food natural, wholesome and delicious, it comes with a promise to be “KIND to your body, your taste buds and the world." (copyright)
An interview with KIND's registered dietitian Alysa Bajenaru revealed the best snacks for children are a combination of protein, healthy fats and fiber that are "nutrient dense" (more nutrition for the number of calories).
According to Bajenaru, parents should help kids "avoid over-processed snacks that contain empty calories and can lead to overeating." Her examples of filling, healthy snacks included the following:
- Celery with natural peanut butter and California raisins
- Raw vegetables and hummus
- KIND whole nut and fruit bars
- Fruit and cheese kabobs
- Homemade trail mix with unsweetened coconut flakes, KIND Healthy Grains, golden raisins and the child's favorite high-fiber cereal
KIND all natural whole nut and fruit bars are high in fiber, protein, calcium and iron. Another plus is the fact that the bars are gluten-free. A Yale study showed the addition of two KIND snack bars to the diet suppressed the appetite and reduced over-eating. The fruit and nut bars also won Health magazine's 2008 'Snack of the Year.'
Bajenaru stated that the most important thing for kids to have better concentration and behavior during school hours is eating a nutritious breakfast containing complex carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats. This type of breakfast, according to Bajenaru, will keep a child full and eliminate the mid-morning crash of a sugary meal. She suggested Greek yogurt parfait with fresh or frozen berries and KIND Healthy Grains.
In part two, find out what Bajenaru has to say about getting kids to eat those foods that will fill them up and not out. To order KIND snacks or locate stores, click kindsnacks.com.
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