‘Tis the Season for Healthy Holiday Snacks
Think of the holiday season, and you’re likely to conjure up images of Santa Claus, Christmas décor, and all the things that represent the cheer and goodwill of the season. But you likely can’t picture the holidays without thinking of all the delicious foods you’ll enjoy as you celebrate with your family.
Kids, in particular, enjoy the opportunity to partake in the bounty of holiday-themed foods, including Christmas sweets. While there’s nothing wrong with the occasional snack, parents should keep a watchful eye on what their children consume during the holiday season to avoid negative eating behaviors (and cavities) down the road.
Making the right choices when it comes to the foods we eat, while still finding ways to enjoy the flavors of the season, is a great way to ensure you and your family will have a festive and memorable holiday!
But parents don’t have to feel helpless.
There’s plenty to do so that your children don’t end up consuming more than usual. Around the holidays, offer plenty of vegetables with your meals and allow them to be more open to snacking on what’s available rather than what they want, like candies, pies, cakes, or other sweets.
Also, consider planning family activities to keep them busy and away from simply eating out of boredom. Festivities during the holiday season make it difficult for kids to stay on track with healthier eating patterns and behaviors they’re used to throughout the year. Ensuring kids stay active and engaged is a great way for them to focus on things other than satisfying a craving or their sweet tooth.
When you consider that on average, individuals can gain 1-3 pounds during the six weeks from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, you begin to realize the significance of maintaining a healthy diet despite the temptations the traditional holiday foods offer. Over time, extra pounds can lead to health issues including:
Dark chocolate is an alternative most chocolate lovers can get on board with during the holidays and beyond. The more chocolate is processed, the more it loses its beneficial qualities; many of the most significant benefits of chocolate come from flavonols (phytonutrients found in cocoa), which offer an antioxidant effect.
Another option for satisfying the sweet tooth is fruit snacks that also make great stocking stuffers. Choose fruit snacks made from fruit juice or fruit concentrate, which are a healthier alternative to those made with sugar or high fructose corn syrup.
Kids, in particular, enjoy the opportunity to partake in the bounty of holiday-themed foods, including Christmas sweets. While there’s nothing wrong with the occasional snack, parents should keep a watchful eye on what their children consume during the holiday season to avoid negative eating behaviors (and cavities) down the road.
Making the right choices when it comes to the foods we eat, while still finding ways to enjoy the flavors of the season, is a great way to ensure you and your family will have a festive and memorable holiday!
Christmas Break Doesn’t Have to Mean Non-Stop Snacking
With many families having to spend extended periods of time at home, and with the Christmas break just around the corner, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of constant snacking and overeating. When it comes to snacking, it’s important for kids to keep a routine similar to their regular schedule.But parents don’t have to feel helpless.
There’s plenty to do so that your children don’t end up consuming more than usual. Around the holidays, offer plenty of vegetables with your meals and allow them to be more open to snacking on what’s available rather than what they want, like candies, pies, cakes, or other sweets.
Also, consider planning family activities to keep them busy and away from simply eating out of boredom. Festivities during the holiday season make it difficult for kids to stay on track with healthier eating patterns and behaviors they’re used to throughout the year. Ensuring kids stay active and engaged is a great way for them to focus on things other than satisfying a craving or their sweet tooth.
When you consider that on average, individuals can gain 1-3 pounds during the six weeks from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, you begin to realize the significance of maintaining a healthy diet despite the temptations the traditional holiday foods offer. Over time, extra pounds can lead to health issues including:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- High triglycerides (fats traveling in the blood)
- Increase in blood sugar
- Increase in insulin levels
- Diabetes
Choose Healthy Holiday Treats That Delight
Ask any kid (and grownup) what they love most about holiday gatherings, and sweets and treats are sure to rank high. Chocolates and candies are popular stocking stuffers that are hard to say no to, but with some slight modifications, you can please even the most discriminating sweets enthusiast.Dark chocolate is an alternative most chocolate lovers can get on board with during the holidays and beyond. The more chocolate is processed, the more it loses its beneficial qualities; many of the most significant benefits of chocolate come from flavonols (phytonutrients found in cocoa), which offer an antioxidant effect.
Another option for satisfying the sweet tooth is fruit snacks that also make great stocking stuffers. Choose fruit snacks made from fruit juice or fruit concentrate, which are a healthier alternative to those made with sugar or high fructose corn syrup.
The Healthy Cookie, Offering a Vegan Non-GMO Alternative to Snacking
While some kids won’t eat their vegetables, there are some treats made with a blend of fruits and veggies that offer healthier snacking alternatives. Baked Smart Cookie offers a delicious chocolate chip cookie jam-packed with eight organic superfoods, providing a full serving of fruits and vegetables that include:- Apple
- Banana
- Pineapple
- Strawberry
- Carrot
- Broccoli
- Sweet Potato
- Kale
Each cookie offers ½ cup of fruit and vegetables loaded with nutritional benefits designed to nourish growing bodies. This kid-approved snack has the taste kids enjoy and the ingredients moms and dads love.
These healthy snacks are backed by Baked Smart Cookie’s commitment to include high-quality ingredients to create a nutritious option that is certified USDA organic, non-GMO, vegan, and soy/peanut-free.
This holiday season, consider skipping all the processed and unhealthy snacks and opting for a healthier alternative without having to sacrifice taste. Baked Smart Cookie is the perfect Christmas treat for your kids...just don’t forget to leave one (or two) out for Santa!
