When the Hartman kids get home from school, the first thing they do is get something to eat.
But instead of going for healthy snacks, they often ask for sugary treats.
It's an uphill battle for many parents because lots of the so-called snack foods are really treats - goodies packed with added sugar or fat. But snacks should be healthy mini-meals that tie kids over between regular meals.
Registered dietitian Julie Schwartz offers the Hartman family lots of healthy snack ideas, such as fruit with yogurt or a veggie and a dip of hummus.
Schwartz says one of the best ways to tell if a food is a snack or treat is to read nutrition labels.
Try to avoid sugar in the top 3 ingredients. Any kind of sugar, or if it's listed 3 different times.
But instead of going for healthy snacks, they often ask for sugary treats.
It's an uphill battle for many parents because lots of the so-called snack foods are really treats - goodies packed with added sugar or fat. But snacks should be healthy mini-meals that tie kids over between regular meals.
Registered dietitian Julie Schwartz offers the Hartman family lots of healthy snack ideas, such as fruit with yogurt or a veggie and a dip of hummus.
Schwartz says one of the best ways to tell if a food is a snack or treat is to read nutrition labels.
Try to avoid sugar in the top 3 ingredients. Any kind of sugar, or if it's listed 3 different times.
