Street Talk, August 29, 2009

MYFOXNY.COM - GOOD DAY STREET TALK

BACK TO SCHOOL

TIPS EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW BEFORE SENDING THEIR KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL. DR. MATTHEW WEISSMAN - PEDIATRICIAN AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE RYAN - NENA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER IN MANHATTAN AND DR. ALAN BULBIN - CHIEF OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES AT SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL IN ROSLYN DISCUSS PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN TO AVOID THE SWINE FLU; LIFESTYLE EXPERT SUSIE COELHO GIVES HELPFUL TIPS ON HOW TO BUY SCHOOL APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES ON A BUDGET; LICENSED PSYCHOTHERAPIST DR. TOM KERSTING ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THOSE FIRST DAY JITTERS; AND “DIETITIAN IN THE KITCHEN” DIANE HENDERIKS, R.D. SHOWS VIEWERS HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY SCHOOL LUNCHES AND SNACKS. BELOW IS A LISTING OF NUTRITIONAL TIPS.

LUNCH IDEAS

1. PEANUT BUTTER OR SUNFLOWER BUTTER AND BANANA SANDWICH ON WHOLE WHEAT BREAD, CARROT STICKS, LOWFAT MILK

2. TURKEY, LOW FAT CHEESE, SPINACH, LOW FAT MAYO WRAP, FRESH STRAWBERRIES, YOGURT DIP, WATER

3. VEGGIE OR TURKEY CHILI, WHOLE GRAIN TORTILLA CHIPS, LOW FAT SHREDDED CHEDDAR, CUCUMBER SLICES, WATER

4. TUNA SALAD, WHOLE GRAIN CRACKERS, GRAPES, CELERY, LOW FAT MILK

5. WHOLE GRAIN PASTA, CHICK PEAS, PARMESAN CHEESE, OLIVE OIL, BROCCOLI BITES, LIGHT BLUE CHEESE DRESSING, LOW FAT MILK

6. BENTO BOX: HARD BOILED EGG, CHEESE SQUARE, TRAIL MIX, APPLESAUCE, WHOLE GRAIN CRACKERS, STRING BEANS AND/OR GRAPE TOMATOES, WATER

TRADITIONAL SNACKS

1. YOGURT CUP

2. FRESH FRUIT AND CHEESE

3. TRAIL MIX

4. APPLESAUCE

5. HEALTHY CHIPS

CREATIVE NEW SPIN ON SNACKS

1. PIZZA SNACK WRAP

2. HUMMUS WITH CUCUMBERS

3. SOUP

4. SHRIMP WITH COCKTAIL SAUCE OR CREAMY DIP

5. WHOLE WHEAT PANCAKE ROLL WITH LOWFAT CREAM CHEESE AND JELLY

6. POTATOES WITH SOUR CREAM

7. WHOLE GRAIN WAFFLE WITH SUNFLOWER OR PEANUT BUTTER AND SLICES FRESH FRUIT

8. CHICKPEAS AND EDAMAME

9. VEGGIE, CHICKEN OR SHRIMP DUMPLINGS WITH LOW SODIUM SOY SAUCE

10. WHOLE GRAIN CHEESE TORTELLINI WITH MARINARA DIP

HERE ARE TIPS TO PACK WHOLESOME LUNCHES AND SNACKS THAT YOUR KIDS WILL ENJOY!

INVOLVE YOUR CHILD

KIDS TEND TO EAT FOODS THAT THEY CHOOSE AND MAKE SO LET THEM HELP YOU! TAKE THEM GROCERY SHOPPING, PLAN MEALS AND PREPARE THE FOOD.

BE PERSISTENT BUT NOT INSISTENT

KEEP TRYING DIFFERENT IDEAS. IF THEY DON’T LIKE SOMETHING, MOVE ON AND COME BACK TO IT LATER.

CREATE VARIETY

DON’T SERVE ONLY THE FOODS YOUR CHILD SAYS THEY LIKE. THE MORE COLOR ON THE PLATE, THE MORE NUTRITION. HAVE THEM TASTE NEW FOODS AND WORK WITH THEM ON CREATIVE WAYS TO ENHANCE THE FLAVOR TO THEIR LIKING.

DON’T MAKE DRAMATIC CHANGES

START WITH SMALL ADJUSTMENTS LIKE MIXING SWEETENED PEANUT BUTTER WITH NATURAL PEANUT BUTTER, WATER WITH FRUIT JUICE, WHOLE WHEAT PASTA WITH WHITE PASTA AND BROWN RICE WITH WHITE RICE UNTIL THE RATIO BECOME 100%OF THE “GOOD” STUFF.

MAKE IT VISUAL

PRESENTATION CAN MAKE MEALS FUN AND INTERESTING. USE COOKIE CUTTERS FOR SANDWICHES, FRUITS AND VEGGIES. GET FUN LUNCHBOXES IN FAVORITE COLORS AND CHARACTERS. KIDS LOVE TO DIP SO PACK YOGURT/FRUIT DIPS, HUMMUS, RANCH DIP, DRESSINGS, LOW SODIUM SOY SAUCE AND MARINARA SAUCE TO NAME A FEW.

PRESERVE FOOD QUALITY

DON’T FORGET COLD PACKS FOR FOODS THAT CAN SPOIL.

PLAN AHEAD

MAKE A SHOPPING LIST TO USE EACH TIME YOU GO TO THE GROCERY STORE. KEEP A STOCK OF HEALTHY FOODS IN THE PANTRY AND FRIDGE.

FOR MORE INFO, LOG ONTO www.DITKonline.com