{"id":118037,"date":"2023-10-19T16:00:23","date_gmt":"2023-10-19T21:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.olemiss.edu\/?p=118037"},"modified":"2023-10-19T16:35:05","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T21:35:05","slug":"news-you-can-use-both-nutritious-and-delicious","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web20.olemiss.edu\/news\/wordpress\/news-you-can-use-both-nutritious-and-delicious\/","title":{"rendered":"News You Can Use: Both Nutritious and Delicious"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Parents should provide their children with healthy options for nutritious eating and model good behaviors to help them build good habits for a lifetime, UM nutritionist Shannon FitzGerald advises. iStock photo<\/p><\/div>\n

OXFORD, Miss. \u2013 Getting children to eat healthy meals can be a challenge, but a University of Mississippi<\/a> nutrition expert says the task is simple and fun.<\/p>\n

Parents have all the power when it comes to making sure children have well-balanced nutrition, said Shannon FitzGerald, a registered dietitian and nutritionist at the Institute of Child Nutrition<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“They can lead by example by choosing nutrient-rich food for themselves,” Fitzgerald said. “Involve children in gardening, shopping, meal planning and preparation, encouraging lifetime skills of healthy eating. Keep healthy foods like tasty fruits, crunchy vegetables and yogurt on hand, making it easy to grab.”<\/p>\n

Nutrition is a key factor, FitzGerald said. Focus on a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrient-rich foods.<\/p>\n

“Think whole grains, like brown rice and whole-wheat bread, that give super energy,” she said. “Don’t forget the rainbow of fruits and veggies. They’re like vitamin-packed treasures that help children grow big and strong.<\/p>\n

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Shannon FitzGerald<\/p><\/div>\n

“Tasty proteins like chicken, beans and yogurt build muscles to stay fit.”<\/p>\n

Children should limit their intake of sugary snacks, sugary beverages and highly processed foods, as these items provide empty calories \u2013 foods that have substantial calories but provide little other nutritional value \u2013 and lack essential nutrients, the components we obtain through our diet that are required by our body to function properly: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water.<\/p>\n

“The dietary guidelines for children’s sugar intake recommend keeping added sugars to a minimum,” FitzGerald said. “That means swapping sugary foods and beverages for more nutrient-packed options like fruits, vegetables and whole grains.<\/p>\n

“Processed foods often contain unhealthy trans fats and excessive sodium, which can have negative impacts on cardiovascular health and overall well-being.”<\/p>\n

Tips for Identifying Healthy Foods<\/strong><\/p>\n