But eating healthy food is especially important for children, and it doesn't have to mean lame treats. Kendall College is teaching parents about childhood nutrition.
Renee Zanko from Kendall College visits ABC7 Chicago to show how to make healthy holiday treats.
Kendall College suggests the following creative steps that parents can follow to reduce holidays sugar intake:
1 - Replace refined sugars with healthy alternatives such as honey, maple syrup or agave syrup.
2- To increase the nutritive value of cookies, bars, etc. you can add dried fruit. It's not necessarily as a replacement to other ingredients so be sensible and add a small amount.
3- Prepare healthy snacks/foods in holiday colors i.e. green and red peppers with yogurt dip for a snack.
Kendall College offers parents the following advice to encourage their children to make independent, healthy eating choices during the holidays and year-round:
1 - Get children involved in helping prepare healthy meals. If they are involved in preparing the meal, they are more likely to eat it.
2-Take children to the grocery store and have a guessing game about fresh produce, etc.
3 - Make sure kids drink water when they are thirsty and encourage milk with every meal -- rather than fruit juices, egg nog, etc.
Kendall College's School of Education provides a venue where parents and educators can learn more about childhood nutrition. People can get more information at www.education.kendall.edu.
