How to Buy Low-Calorie, Tasty Foods for Kids
Finding Nutritious, Low-Fat Children’s Food at the Supermarket
Sep 20, 2008
You can save money while buying healthy foods for your kids and keeping them fit; it just takes planning.
Americans families are waging a battle on childhood obesity. But trading in junk food for healthier fare doesn’t have to be an all-out war in your house. By easing in the fruits and veggies in place of hot dogs and chips, you can make a real difference in your kids’ nutrition and your household budget.
How to Save Money and Buy Low-Calorie Tasty Foods for Kids
- Skip processed foods. They’re loaded with fat and sodium and they are much more expensive. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend all your time preparing homemade dishes every night. Your supermarket’s deli department is a great place to start. There, you’ll find fresh lean meat that isn’t processed. And the best part? You can order exactly how much you need so there’s no waste. So instead of feeding your kids hot dogs and chips for lunch, substitute smoked turkey on whole grain with an apple. Dress up the turkey with a little low-fat spicy mayo and make an apple "dip" with low-fat yogurt. Your kids will think they are getting a real treat.
- You don’t have to give up buying their favorite snacks. Simply substitute what you normally buy with something more nutritious, less expensive and lower in fat. For example, instead of buying your child’s favorite ice cream, loaded with fat and calories, substitute ice cream that has one-third the fat. More and more manufacturers are listening to consumers and offering great-tasting alternatives to regular ice cream. Many taste just as good and your kids won’t know the difference. Simply load the lower calorie ice cream bars into the freezer and throw the box away. If your kids ask why their ice cream bars taste different, tell them you found a new brand on sale. And actually, that will be the truth. Wait for sales at your supermarket and search for coupons both online and in your local newspaper. Also check your grocery store receipt. If you include an ice cream product in your purchase, a coupon for another one might appear on the back of your receipt.
- Find inexpensive exercise programs for kids. You don’t have to spend money to get your kids fit. Organized sports are great, but family time is even better. Walk in the park with your children. They may resist at first, but once you make it a habit and your kids realize this is a good time to talk to you about issues they may be facing at school or with friends, they will look forward to the outing. Also check community fitness centers for inexpensive programs. If you have a young child, municipalities often offer parent-child fitness activities as well as family activity nights.
The copyright of the article How to Buy Low-Calorie, Tasty Foods for Kids in Consumer Education is owned by L. Marie Dubuque. Permission to republish How to Buy Low-Calorie, Tasty Foods for Kids in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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