SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) Summer can be a difficult time for parents to maintain healthy eating habits for their children. The added downtime can often lead to boredom snacking.
According to a study by Aston University, children as young as four years old eat 79% more calories when they’re bored.
Dr. Laura Ankrom, a pediatrician with Mercy, said one of the most important things parents can do for their kids during the summer is to maintain structure and to stick to three meals a day and a healthy snack.
“If you’ve got things sitting around, summer is the best time for fresh fruits and veggies,” said Dr. Ankrom. “If you have things readily available for kids to just pick up and grab, like an apple or an orange, then hopefully they will be more likely to do so. You, as a parent, have control over what’s brought into the home, so if you do a good job of trying not to fill your house with a lot of junk foods, then everyone will be less likely to grab for those.”
She said another way to keep your kids from reaching for unhealthy snacks this summer, is to make their options a little more interesting.
“Things like making water more fun to drink by freezing fruit in ice cubes or having your little kids help you do things like making pureed fruit popsicles are good ways to have your kids grab something that might be healthy.”
Dr. Ankrom also said it’s important to keep your kids engaged this summer. She said the best option is to get outside, whether that’s in your backyard, riding bikes, walking the dog, or running through the sprinkler.
According to healthychildren.org, some good options to grab on your next grocery trip are fruits, raw vegetables, light microwaveable popcorn, sugar-free Jell-O, and vegetable soup. Things like candy or chips have empty calories which won’t make your kids feel full.
To report a correction or typo, please email [email protected]. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.
Copyright 2025 KY3. All rights reserved.
发表回复