Healthier Ways for Kids to Snack

(CBS)  Childhood obesity continues to rise and a new study finds excess snacking may be partly to blame.

On "The Early Show," CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton explained the survey looked at over 30,000 kids and found, on average, kids are snacking at least three times a day -- adding almost 600 calories from snacks alone, up 168 calories from the late '70s.

Special Section: Dr. Jennifer Ashton
Study: Snacks Make Up 27% of Kids Calories

"Snacking sometimes takes the place of mealtime, leaving kids less hungry for nutritious foods," Ashton said.

She said researchers found kids are loading up on high calorie junk food. Salty snacks, such as chips and crackers, showed the largest increase.

"Kids are eating more candy at snack time, leading to weight gain and cavities," Ashton said. "Kids are less likely to drink milk, instead reaching for soda and sports drinks. Cookies and cakes were also popular."

And the extra snacking can really pack on the pounds.

Ashton said, "It boils down to the numbers: if 3,500 calories consumed equals 1 pound. If, as the study found, kids are eating on average an extra 168 calories a day, that could add up to a 17.5 pound weight gain in one year. No small matter."

And those extra pounds are very dangerous, according to Ashton, who cited that the rise in childhood obesity has put millions of children at risk of chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and even heart disease.

Ashton added that a study released this week showed that obese children as young as 3 years old showed biomarkers considered an early warning sign for heart disease.

She continued, "A report out in 2005 said that childhood obesity, if left unchecked, could shorten life spans by as much as five years, and they would have shorter life expectancies than their parents."

What can parents do?

Ashton said parents and children need to work together -- but it can be challenging.

She said, "Vending machines are everywhere stocked with junk, and the food industry seduces kids with tempting snack foods. But parents need to set an example by making healthy choices themselves. Interestingly, young children, ages 2 to 6, have shown the biggest increases in snacking. Young children cannot buy the food themselves, or drive themselves to fast food restaurants. Parents need to supply good snack choices."

Ashton suggested these healthy snack alternatives that kids will actually want to eat:

• Keep cut fruit in the lunch box and in the fridge. You could even swipe some peanut butter on it.
• Keep baby carrots and sweet peppers. Cut them up, dip them in low-fat dip.
• Yogurt is great, top them with raisins.
• No-butter popcorn is low in calories and filling too.
• If your child is not allergic, nuts are a great option for protein and good fats.

[corinnejulie]

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[dramfair]

ya you said, true
because in snacks there are a lot of calories which are injurious for health
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[cdegolier]

Parents are too lazy to make their children a proper dinner why on earth would they go to all the trouble of peeling a banana or slicing an apple, it is much easier to open a bag of chips. Luckily since I am not giving my child crap to eat she loves to snack on frozen vegetables; edamane, corn, peas, beans and loves grapes, strawberries, bananas and appples for a treat we let her have no sugar pudding. It is easy but you have to put a little effort in to your children. I work full time and still come home and cook a healthy dinner every night.

[tmittelstaed]

The sweetners in no-sugar pudding are artificial chemicals and are much worse than the sugar, which is a natural substance we get from plants. The fact is that the major damage is letting her have a sweet-tasting pudding since that is just developing a food preference. I'm sure you know that and are trying to salve your conscience by getting the artifical sugar pudding.

Instead of pudding for the special treat you would be far, far better off making your own ice cream. Since you seem to be antagonistic against cane sugar, you can use honey instead, there's many ice cream recipies out there that use honey.

[healingnews]

Although most do contain some sweet additive the soy, rice, or coconut yoghurts available at most natural foods outlets are much safer than average candies, cakes, cookies, or other junk foods. Besides, they contain essential probiotics for food digestion and assimilation. www.HealingNews.com

[MargaretWilde]

Avoid the very low fat yogurt which tends to contain unnatural additives and undesirable artificial sweeteners.

The calcium in dairy yoghurt is very good for children.

[healingnews]

Calcium from cow's milk is not easily assimilable by humans. Besides, cow's milk has app. triple the protein as what is in mother's milk, the one designed for human consumption. This can lead to osteoporosis, often caused more often from too much protein. Better sources for human calcium needs are carrots, dark leafy greens, sesame seeds, etc. These non-animal sources of calcium are much easier for humans to utilize. www.HealingNews.com

[drpat_boston]

Regarding Dr. Ashton's tips for children's snacks, beware of yogurt. Most yogurt, except plain yogurt,is chocked full of sugar. I prefer the plain greek yogurt, fresh fruit, and nuts. You have a good source of protein, no sugar, and good carbs to curb the appetite and keep blood sugars stable.