Healthy Eating With Kids and a Giveaway!

I am always on the look out for info on how to help my kids be the healthiest they can be. One area that is sometimes a struggle is healthy eating. My oldest would eat Mac & Cheese 24x7 if we would let him. The youngest has now started with, "I don't like that." It is difficult to find a balance between the two while still getting them the necessary nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong.

Source Earth Fare Cleveland

Enter the wonderful folks at Earth Fare Cleveland. I had the opportunity to ask some questions to Kristi

Kanzig, Assistant Marketing Director, Earth Fare Cleveland.

Source Earth Fare Cleveland

Jennifer: "What is most important for parents to remember when trying to plan meals for their children?"               
Kristi:  "Kids love color, so incorporate lots of variety into your kids lunches. Let them get their hands dirty. If your kids can help you plan, make or pick the items that go into their meal, they will almost always try it."

Jennifer: "Do you have some healthy meal suggestions for parents that have picky eaters?"            
Kristi: "Earth Fare Healthy Kids Meals – There also loads of combinations for meal options and your kids get to be involved in the selection. Get them involved in shopping. Make it a scavenger hunt through the store. Let them help you identify a fruit, a vegetable and a snack on aisle."

Jennifer: "Our kids both drink soy, what is the nutritional difference between soy and regular milk?"           
Kristi: "Many physicians and nutritionists consider soy milk to be a completely comparable alternative to regular milk and there are a lot of great tasting options to choose from.  Here are a few interesting facts to keep in mind:  Cow’s milk contains 8 grams of protein and 12 grams of carbohydrates per cup. It is a rich source of nutrients and provide all the necessary amino acids needed to form proteins. One cup contains 30% of the daily calcium needs and about 50% of the VitB12 and riboflavin needs.  While soymilk isn’t technically a milk, it is a great substitute for individuals with lactose allergies. Foods made from soy are the only-plant based complete proteins available. One cup of unfortified soymilk contains almost 7 grams of protein and 4 grams of carbohydrates. It does supply some B vitamins, it’s not a good source of B12 or calcium. There are fortified options available and they help to subsidize these vitamins.  I’ve included a few examples below."

Jennifer:" My kids are healthy smackers-Funky Monkey, Applesauce squirters, etc. Any new products out that have been popular with families?"
Kristi: "Buddy Fruits – Blended Fruit & skim milk pouches, Hansen’s Natural Junior Juice Coconut Water Twists – available in orange creamcicle, pineapple and tropical punch  - not in stores until April. In addition to those options other great snacks are: Zen Almond Milk Pudding – chocolate flavor ; Smooze Fruit Ice – coconut water based fruit ice – mango, pink guava and pineapple."

Jennifer: "Does your organization offer health talks or anything at your store to help educate consumers?"
Kristi: "You can friend Earth Fare Cleveland on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/#!/EarthFareCleveland and keep up with all of the events and education opportunities we offer. We also have knowledgeable and friend team members on-hand who are always happy to offer advice, samples or tours to new or existing customers."

Jennifer: "Anything else on healthy eating for families you want to share?"
Kristi: "As a part of our mission to eliminate childhood obesity, Earth Fare hosts Family Dinner Night every Thursday from 4-8 p.m. Kids up to age six eat free with the purchase of an adult meal. If you are joining us on the health journey and you aren’t sure where to start, it’s a great way to get an affordable meal for the whole family. 
Also be sure to take advantage of Earth Fare’s great coupons. It doesn’t have to be expensive to eat all-natural and we offer resource to everyone to make it easier to save. Join us for our great welcome home coupons by signing up at http://www.earthfare.com/. Click “Start Now” and receive a free chicken or veggie burgers for signing up. Text “EAT” to 71700 and save via your smart phone. For signing up, you will receive $10 off your $25 purchase. Find the coupons you want and print them online. Check out our online coupons, available at http://www.earthfare.com/. Click “Your Savings.”"

Want to win some kid friendly, healthy snacks? The good folks at Earth Fare are sponsoring a giveaway of some of the products that Kristi mentioned in our interview.

Want to win?
1.) Become a follower of my blog and leave me a comment (1 entry)
2.) Follow Earth Fare Cleveland on Twitter @EarthFareCLE  (and leave me a comment (1 entry)
3.) Go to Earth Fare Cleveland's web page and tell them Diaper Derby Adventures sent you  & leave me a comment (1 entry)

Deadline for entries is Friday, May 4th. Winner to be drawn on Saturday May 5th.

Special thanks to the Earth Fare Cleveland team for the interview and sponsoring this giveaway.