Top 5 Health Benefits of Wine

Wine can be a healthy beverage if you drink moderately no more than one or two 5-ounce glasses daily because it has more polyphenol antioxidants than other alcoholic beverages. Polyphenols are linked to cardiovascular health benefits, blood sugar improvement and cancer prevention. Choose red wines with high Polyphenol levels. Wine, especially the red variety, has been studied extensively over many years with impressive findings suggesting it may promote a longer lifespan, protect against certain cancers, improve mental health benefits, and provide benefits to the heart.

Red wine is a type of wine made from the European or dark-coloured grapes’ variety. Its colour is derived from a vast assortment of grapes, ranging from red, deep purple and even blue grapes. The skin of the grapes is kept in close contact with the grape juice during the fermentation process, allowing the dispersion of both colour and tannins. There are around red wine varieties in the wine market. Common red wine varieties include cherry, plum, strawberry, raspberry, gooseberry, boysenberry, raisin, coffee, fig, currant, mocha, violet and even tobacco. Each of these differ in characteristics such as the grape variety, colour, flavour, mouth feel and ageing potential.                    

Healthy glowing skin

Everyone would wish to have a healthy glowing skin and this magic is one of the many benefits of drinking red wine. The red wine benefits for skin is because the antioxidants that protects your skin and prevents it from ageing. That’s why some parlours are now providing red wine facials.

Protect your heart

The most powerful antioxidant compounds which can help reduce the saturated fat accumulated in the arteries. Red wine also contains flavonoids and saponins which protect you against cardiovascular diseases. But this does not mean you go on a drinking spree. Red wine, when drunk in moderation, works best and also raises your HDL cholesterol, which in simple terms is ‘good cholesterol’.

Prevent Cancer

Red wine in moderation can greatly lower the risk of breast cancer in women. Red wine also contains guercetin which prevents lung cancer. Besides this, resveratrol in addition to preventing heart disease can also prevent the growth of cancerous cells.

Brain Benefits

Brain Benefits of Wine contains polyphenols, most notably resveratrol, which protect your brain cells from damage. Resveratrol also aids in the formation of nerve cells, which could cut risk of brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, according to Yale New-Haven Hospital. A study published in a 2008 issue of “Journal of Biological Chemistry” found that healthy wine extracts inhibited the development of Alzheimer’s disease in mice, suggesting that resveratrol might have similar protective benefits in humans.

Prevent Food Poisoning

Drinking wine with meals adds more benefits to the health benefits. Wine when taken along with a meal decreases the risk of food poisoning. Moreover, consuming wine during lunch slows the digestion process which overall lower the rate of alcohol (present in the drink) absorption by bloodstream. Thus, the bad effects of alcohol in the body is concealed and controlled due slow absorption.

Natural Home Remedies For Fat Burner Drinks

One easy way to losing belly fat burner drinks is having fat burning drinks. These homemade fat burning drinks fat burning drinks for losing belly fat are a natural way to melt the fat fast and help you reach your weight loss goals in a relatively short period of time. If you're drinking them on a regularly then you'll have an easier time losing belly fat burner drinks. If you're not drinking them then you're missing out on an easy way to burn belly fat. Here are some homemade detox drinks to help you lose weight.

Digestive systems are so made that some foods which are high on carbohydrates, simple sugars and saturated fats burner drinks tend to cling to best stomach and increase the weight. There are also foods that make us slim. These foods and drinks do the work of cleaning and washing off the deposited fats from the body and satisfying best hunger with lower amounts of calories consumed. Some drinks are great at this task and you should definitely try them out. Do not worry we are not trying to sell you any branded slimming drink. We just want to tell you about some natural drinks like juices, teas etc. Learn about them by clicking below.  

Cranberry Juice

Cranberries are a rich source of organic acids like malic acid, citric acid, and quinic acid that function as digestive enzymes. These acids act as emulsifying agents on stubborn fat deposits in your lymphatic system which transports all the waste products that your liver cannot process. Cranberry juice digests these lymphatic wastes and help you reduce fat. So, drink 100 percent cranberry juice (unsweetened) or cran-water.

Ginger Tea 

Ginger tea is a natural digestive aid but did you know that ginger is a thermogenic? Thermogenic agents increase body temperature thus helping burn fat more effectively. Your belly fat may be due to one of the various reasons like overeating, age-related reduction of hormone, lack of exercise or stress. Ginger can practically solve each of these issues. Ginger is also said to suppress cortisol production. Cortisol is a steroid hormone essential for energy regulation and mobilization. So, have ginger tea daily to aid your efforts of losing belly fat.

Herbs Infused Water

There are many herbs in your kitchen that you don’t even call herbs. You use them daily in your cooking or in salads etc. but you are unaware of there effects on your body fat burner drinks. Some of such herbs include ginger, mint, and cucumber. These herbs when combined with the excellent fat burner lemon can do wonders to get you rid of belly fat. Consisting of water and dietary fiber, cucumber is a great food to lose belly fat. It cleanse your body from deep within and help you lose weight. Ginger is a great fat burner which allows blood vessels to expand leading to better blood circulation.

Sip Green Tea 

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states, having 4 cups of green tea daily helped people lose more than six pounds within a period of eight weeks. Green tea contains a type of a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG. It is a natural phenol and antioxidant with many therapeutic applications. When you sip green tea, EGCG in it boosts your metabolism. Have 3-4 cups of green tea daily. Make it fresh every time or store it in fridge to get an iced green tea each time you need to speed up your metabolism. Here is a fine recipe of fat burning green tea for you.

Best Healthy Evening Snacks For Kids

Summer breaks and holidays are definitely fun time for kids but hectic for moms. The mom’s job is to provide a new and different experience to them each day whether it is in art, craft or food. Also, kids are extremely fussy eaters. It is a struggle for mothers to find evening snacks that are tasty and nutritious at the same time. On the other hand, make them something interesting with the same ingredients and they will happily eat it.

Kids usually have smaller appetite. They do not eat in one sitting, but like to eat more often. Instead of letting them reach for a bag of chips, offer them some healthy evening snacks instead. These munchies are as important as breakfast, lunch and dinner. A healthy and nutritious snacking will give them a lot of energy to grow into a healthy and strong adult. Snacking also keeps their blood sugar levels stable, preventing meltdown and tantrum.                                                              

                                                       
Late Night Snacks

Many children ask for a snack right before bed, particularly if they eat dinner early in the evening snacks and several hours have passed before bedtime. Late-night snacks can have a place in your child's healthy diet as long as they are figured into his daily caloric intake so he is not eating more than he needs. KidsHealth reports that traditional late night snacks, such as potato chips, are high in calories and low in nutrition, which can cause overeating. If you provide nutritious evening snacks to your child, there is nothing wrong with a snack before bed.

Cottage Cheese

The all night hunger solution, cottage cheese is an excellent choice. It has a high amount of casein protein, which coagulates in your stomach. The ball of protein digests slowly, keeping hunger at bay for hours. Cottage cheese is tasty plain, but it’s versatile, and you can make it either sweet or savory, depending on your snacking mood. For example, cocoa powder and honey make it taste like cheesecake, but diced tomato and dried dill make cottage cheese into a creamy salad. A 1/2-cup serving of 1 percent milk cottage cheese with 1 teaspoon of honey has only 105 calories and 1 gram of fat with 14 grams of protein.

Fruit Salad

A fruit salad is a healthy and tasty snacking option for the kids. Fruits contain several vitamins and minerals and are practically fat free. Eating several kinds of fruit will also please your kid’s palate.

Quesadillas

Quesadillas Both kids and adults love Quesadillas. You can prepare it by adding chopped veggies, leftover chicken and even shrimps. Serve it with corn, beans and tomato salsa for a nutritional punch.

Sweet Potato Chips

Sweet potato is one of the healthiest vegetables you can serve for your kids. They are packed with vitamins A, B, C and folate. Sweet potato chips are a lot more nutritious food than the regular potato chips. Make sure you prepare them at home with healthy oils.

Top 5 Fat Burning Super Foods For Weight Loss

If you want to lose weight or maintain your current body weight, your plan should always start with a sensible diet. Changing your diet can be difficult and frustrating. Instead of making drastic changes, you can add some fat-burning foods.Many foods are conducive to weight loss and actually help you burn calories. Certain foods can help increase your metabolism, add satisfying bulk to meals, raise your body temperature, help you feel full for a longer time and provide chemicals that are conducive to weight loss.

The Healthy foods help the body burn fat and keep slim and trim. Skipping meals causes the body to hold onto fat reserves and slows down the body’s metabolic rate. Eating meals that help the body burn fat improves the body’s health foods and prevents a slowing of metabolism so that the body does not try holding extra fat.                                                                                      

Low Fat Yogurt

Daily servings of low-fat dairy products like yogurt speed up loss of weight and body fat in obese people compared to a diet with fewer dairy products. Low-fat yogurt contains a good amount of calcium that helps control hunger pangs and strengthens bones and teeth. Plus, yogurt is high in protein and vitamin D, which will help your body keep going throughout the day. Along with low-fat yogurt, you can add other dairy products like low-fat milk and cheese to your diet.

Sesame Seeds

Sesame Seeds Animal studies showed that plant chemicals, called lignans, in sesame seeds enhance fat burning by increasing liver enzymes that break down fat. "Many studies found that protein and essential fatty acids increase the metabolic rate, and sesame seeds are loaded with both," explains Christine Gerbstadt, MD, RD, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. They're also a rich source of minerals and fiber.

Nuts

This is one food that almost every single diet plan in existence suggests you eat. Nuts are one food that unites the vegetarians and the Paleo followers, and we have yet to find a diet program that says not to eat them. They’re straight from the Earth and a small handful of raw organic almonds, walnuts or pecans can be a crunchy snack that leaves you feeling good for a few hours or more.

Beans

Beans are a staple item in The Four Hour Body’s Slow Carb Diet for weight loss. They are lauded for their ability to help regulate blood sugar levels and help with digestion due to their fiber content. Try adding a can of organic black beans as a side to your next meal, especially if it can replace a more carb-laden item like bread or rMany restaurants keep black beans on hand as a substitute for a side, so they’re a great go-to item when you’re out with friends and want to eat well without looking like you’re on a diet.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit is another fat-burning superfood. The fruit is high in fiber with very few calories. In fact, it is one of the best-known “negative calorie” foods, which means you burn more calories digesting it than the amount of calories you took in.Also, grapefruit helps lower insulin, regulate blood sugar and metabolism. To lose weight quickly, try to eat more fresh grapefruit with its fleshy white membranes or grapefruit juice with a high amount of pulp.

Healthy Protein Foods For During Pregnancy Women

Healthy diet is an important part of a healthy lifestyle at any time, but is especially vital if you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy women. Eating healthily during pregnancy women will help your baby to develop and grow.You don’t need to go on a special diet, but it's important to eat a variety of different foods every day to get the right balance of nutrients that you and your baby need. It's best to get vitamins and minerals from the foods you eat, but when you're pregnant you need to take some supplements as well, to make sure you get everything you need.

Eating a balanced diet high in fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats is key to a healthy pregnancy. During pregnancy women, it's even more important to get enough of certain nutrients for the benefit of mom and baby. We've compiled a list of the best foods to meet these needs. Plus, a cheat sheet for foods to avoid during pregnancy women.

Getting the right balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats in pregnancy women is simple, since the ratios are the same in pregnancy women as at other times: 45-65 percent of your calories should come from carbohydrates; 20-35 percent from fats; and 10-35 percent from protein. The components of these nutrients don't need to be in this exact ratio for each meal, or even every day, but you should aim to achieve this balance over the course of a week.                      

                                                                                                         
Calcium

Calcium helps promote strong, healthy bones for mom and baby. If a baby doesn't get enough calcium, then it will take it from the mom’s bones, which can lead to problems for mom later in life. Plus, it plays an important role in muscle and nerve development along with promoting a well functioning circulatory system. Pregnant women need 1,000 mg of calcium a day. Foods rich in calcium, 8 oz non-fat yogurt (415 mg), 8 oz skim milk (302 mg), 1 cup fortified orange juice (200-250 mg), 3 oz salmon (181 mg), 1 oz feta cheese (140 mg), 1 cup chickpeas (105 mg).

Lentils

Lentils With 8 grams of protein per 1/4-cup serving, along with plenty of fiber, iron, and slow-burning carbohydrates, there's a lot to love about lentils now that you're pregnant. Low cost and low in fat, the legume seeds provide more folate/folic acid than any other unfortified food: eating half a cup of cooked lentils a day provides 180 mcg of folate.

Broccoli 

Broccoli It's not only packed with nutrients that are necessary a healthy diet plan for pregnancy such as calcium and folate -- but broccoli is also rich in fiber and disease fighting antioxidants. And since it contains plenty of vitamin C, this popular green vegetable will help your body absorb iron when it's eaten with an iron-rich food, such as whole wheat pasta or brown rice.

Power Bars

Protein boosting powers bars are a quick, convenient way to give your protein intake an instant uptick. Typically made with such ingredients as soy protein, seeds and nuts, and oats, power bars offer anywhere from 10 grams to 25 grams or more of protein.

Parmesan and Cheddar

Diligently eating your veggies? Add some protein to steamed broccoli and leafy greens by topping with grated parmesan cheese just before serving—or try this tasty recipe for parmesan-topped baked tomatoes. Parmesan also works well paired with fruit or stirred into soups and provides 10 grams of protein per 1-ounce serving. 

Best 5 Fruits Oils For Better Skin Care

The sweet and delicious fruits oils, but the oil produced from them have many and varied healing properties for the skin. These oils for skin care are good as carrier oils that are used to dilute essential oils before they are applied to the skin in massage and aromatherapy. They are called so because they carry the essential oil onto the skin. They retain moisture in the skin care and help to delay skin aging. If you are interested to learn more about essential oils you can find useful information in my e-book Magical Aromatherapy. This book will help you to discover the power of essential oils and the most effective ways to use them.

Fruit oils are packed with skin care friendly nutrients. They help in moisturizing and nourishing the skin. They are widely recommended in traditional medicines for treating varied skin care problems. Fruit oils are also blessed with anti-aging properties. The antioxidant nutrients present in these natural oils, by countering the harmful activities of free radicals, prevent premature aging of the skin.

Fruit oils work equally well on different types of skin. The mild nature of fruit oil makes it an ideal skin care product for people with sensitive skin. The emollient rich fruit oils can prevent the skin care from drying out, by forming a natural skin barrier. For this very reason, pure fruit oils are a boon for people with dry, scaly skin. Some great fruit oils for rejuvenating the skin care mentioned below.                          

Emu Oil

Emu oil is a highly penetrating oil due to a small molecular structure. Its chemical composition is very close to that of human sebum. This makes it a superior carrier oil for other ingredients. Because its composition is so close to the natural oils we produce, it enables other ingredients mixed with it to penetrate the skin better. It is high in essential fatty acids, is moisturizing and is good for wrinkles.

Grape Seed Oil

This oil contains a high amount of lipids that are essential for cell membrane, is rich in  phenol, and many essential fatty acids that strengthen and nourish the cells and maintaining moisture. Grape seed oil is a excellent cosmetic ingredient to control moisture of the skin. It is light and thin and leaves a glossy film over skin when used as a carrier oil for essential effective oils in aromatherapy.  It is also used as a base for oil infusions of garlic, rosemary, or other herbs or spices. Grape seed oil is also used as a lubricant for shaving.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil, which is extracted from the flesh of ripe avocados, is one of the best natural options for pampering your skin. Avocado oil contains numerous natural ingredients which are known to restore the health and vitality of your skin. Avocado oil contains vitamins and essential fatty acids which can retain the youthful suppleness of the skin. The high vitamin E and fatty acid content of avocado oil makes it one of the top fruit oils for people with extra dry skin.

Olive Oil

Olive oil has been used cosmetically since ancient times. It is rich and green in color with a characteristic odor. It helps maintain skin elasticity. It contains antioxidants to protect skin care from damage. Because it is rich in essential fatty acids, olive oil is good for dehydrated and aging skin.

Peach Oil

Peach oil is a yellow orange hued, light, skin care penetrating fruit oil that is extracted from the peach kernel. Peach oil is one of the top ingredients in most high end cosmetic skin care products. Regular usage of pure peach oil on the skin can restore the skin’s youthful appearance and suppleness. Peach oil is also known as a top anti ageing fruit oil because this oil is loaded with skin essential vitamins like Vitamin A, B-group vitamins and vitamin E. The numerous antioxidants present in peach oil can further retard the natural ageing process by eliminating free radicals.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Red Wine?

Red Wine, especially the red variety, has been studied extensively over many years with impressive findings suggesting it may promote a longer lifespan, protect against certain cancers, improve mental health benefits, and provide benefits to the heart.

Red wine has well known health benefits. However, drinking any alcoholic beverage in excess can lead to alcoholism and the serious health problems associated with it, so limit your red wine consumption to no more than 24 ounces per day. Use FitDay to keep track of the calories you're eating and make sure that you get adequate nutrition on the road to weight loss as you enjoy the following benefits of an occasional glass of wine.                                                                                  

       
Tipping back a glass of red wine can do much more than help you relax after a long day. There’s scientific evidence that, in limited quantities (defined by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans as up to one 5-ounce glass for women and up to two 5-ounce glasses for men), red wine can also have surprising health benefits. Here, we’ve outlined some of the most compelling reasons to fill up your glass as if you needed an excuse.The health benefits of red wine are greater than you might think. Besides having antioxidants, fermented foods are good for digestion and alcohol itself has also shown some surprising traits over long-term moderate use. Discover the health benefits of red wine and how much you should consume to live well.

Red wine contains resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant compound. Resveratrol also protects your heart and arteries against the effects of saturated fat in your diet, so drinking one or two glasses of red wine a day can help protect your heart and prevent cardiovascular disease. The flavonoids and sapponins in red wine also help to protect your heart against cardiovascular disease. The alcohol in red wine, when consumed in moderation, raises your levels of "good" HDL cholesterol, helps prevent the formation of blood clots and can help to protect your arteries from the damage caused by "bad" LDL cholesterol.

Red wine For beautiful, healthy drink benefits skin also contains antioxidants which are essential for best body. They can slow aging as well as help you reduce your fine lines and wrinkles. They can also help prevent type 2 diabetes and also keep your bones strong.

Red Wine Contains Antioxidants In addition to resveratrol, red wine contains a number of other antioxidants, which can slow the signs of aging and prevent a number of degenerative illnesses like type 2 diabetes. Drinking one or two glasses of red wine each day can help protect you from many of the diseases of the elderly, such as osteoporosis.

Red wine prevent cancer Consumption of red wine in moderation can greatly lower the risk of breast cancer in women. Red wine also contains guercetin which prevents lung cancer. Besides this, resveratrol in addition to preventing heart disease can also prevent the growth of cancerous cells.

Red wine, even non alcoholic red wine, hardens your enamel to prevent tooth decay. Hardened enamel is more resistant to Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria which lives on your teeth and is responsible for tooth decay. The polyphenols in red wine can also prevent gum disease, and even help to treat it by reducing inflammation in the gums.

Low Carb Healthy Breakfast Foods With Protein

You've heard it before: breakfast foods is the most important meal of the day. But why? Healthy breakfasts foods kick start your metabolism and keep you focused and energized until lunch time, meaning it's especially important to make sure what you put into your body at the beginning of the day is good for you.When you start the day with a carb-heavy breakfast foods, the morning can sometimes drag, causing you to reach for that second cup of coffee. Try cutting down on carbs, and reach for one of these high-protein breakfast foods recipes instead. Whether you're on a gluten-free, Paleo, or vegetarian diet, there's a breakfast idea here to help you start your day energized and satisfied.

Breakfast is arguably the most important meal of the day. But if you are eating the wrong foods first thing in the morning, you could be setting yourself up for food failure later on in the day. And if you are someone who exercises in the morning, it is even more important that you eat the right breakfast foods and provide your body with what it needs to get you through your workout. This means eating lots of protein while minimizing some of the carbs (save them for after your workout when you really need them). Here are seven delicious high protein, low carbohydrate breakfast foods recipes to try.              

                 
Healthy breakfast foods such as toast, potatoes and pancakes don’t work for healthful, low-carb diets. Combine low-carb and high-protein ingredients to energize your body. As a bonus, according to MayoClinic.com, breakfast helps you make healthier choices for the day by reducing hunger. Even with the simplest ingredients, you have a multitude of choices for your healthful, high-energy breakfast.

Yogurt

Plain yogurt is relatively low-carbohydrate diet and gives you a healthful boost of protein for your day. Mix a few tablespoons with your eggs to make them creamier or top your omelet with it. Yogurt makes a delicious egg salad dressing when you blend it with seasonings, too. A 2-tablespoon serving of fat-free, plain yogurt has 18 calories, 2 grams of carbohydrates and 2 grams of protein.

Egg White Frittata

Classic Mediterranean ingredients like peppers, onion, and spinach bring texture, flavor, and nutrition to actress Lea Michele's frittata recipe, while egg whites and feta provide over 20 grams of protein. This low-calorie frittata is quick enough to come together on a weekday morning but elegant enough to serve to friends at a special weekend brunch.

Smoothies

Another way to incorporate yogurt into your breakfast foods is to blend it into a smoothie. Smoothies are a great way to get a full serving of fruit, along with a healthy serving of protein if you use yogurt. For even more nutritional value, add vegetables like spinach or kale the sweetness from the fruit will mask the veggie flavors.

Low Carb Pizza

Make a pizza using a grilled portabella mushroom or a slice of grilled eggplant for the base instead of pizza crust. Cover the base with tomato paste or chopped tomatoes and basil. Add low-fat mozzarella cheese and a high-protein, carbohydrate-free topping, such as cooked chicken breast, anchovies or lean ground turkey. Add your choices of additional toppings, such as spinach leaves or bell peppers. Olives provide heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. This breakfast has about 10 to 15 grams of carbohydrates and 20 to 30 grams of protein.

Low Carb Hotcakes

Low-Carb Hotcakes Even if you're cutting back on carbs, you can enjoy a stack of hotcakes! These wheat-free pancakes use almond meal and flaxseed instead. They're high in fiber and protein with nearly no sugar whatsoever.

The Good Benefits of Healthy Snacks For Kids

Snacks are beneficial to children, promoting good nutrition, encouraging lifelong healthful habits and preventing debilitating or deadly diseases. Snacks are especially crucial for children because they are still growing, and healthful snacking at school can lead to better nutrition during foundational years and increased energy and ability to focus.

Healthy snack choices can provide children with some of the vitamins, minerals, proteins, and calories they need for growth, energy, and overall good health. In fact, healthy snacks can satisfy nutrient gaps and provide up to one quarter of a child's daily energy needs . Healthy snacking satisfies hunger between meals, improves concentration, and prevents overeating at mealtime.      

Snacking is important for children because they have smaller stomachs than adults and cannot necessarily eat enough to stay full in one meal or sitting. They should be able to snack every three to four hours over the course of the day. Snacking throughout the day not only ensures kids stay full, it also helps them learn healthy eating habits, like eating appropriate amounts and only when they're hungry. Small, healthy snacks throughout the day prevent patterns of boredom eating, or eating based on emotional factors.

Children need to be able to refuel throughout the day to maintain energy and focus on academics, and that's where snacking comes in. It's crucial these snacks be health-conscious, as studies show that in states where laws require schools to sell only snacks that meet certain nutrition requirements children gain less weight as they get older. Children may also need to fill in certain nutrient gaps left by meals. Healthy snacks also boost energy, while sugary treats and other junk  food can lead to a quick crash and overeating at the next meal.

You probably know how sluggish and sleepy you can get when you haven't eaten in several hours. The same is true for kids in school. If they eat breakfast early in the morning, they may not make it to lunchtime without dragging and getting tired. The same is true in the hours between lunch and the end of the school day. A nutritious snack gives your child the energy he needs to play at recess, participate in gym and pay attention in the classroom.

Kids need a wide range of nutrients to help them grow and develop normally. Adding a snack or two to your child's lunchbox helps ensure that he's getting adequate amounts of each. This includes vitamins A and C, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, calcium and iron. Relying solely on meals to cover his needs might leave your child lacking, particularly if he only eats small amounts at one sitting. Snacks can provide about one-fourth of your child's daily nutrient and calorie needs, note Julie M. Martinez and Karla P. Shelnutt with the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Forgetting to send a snack to school on a regular basis could mean your child isn't getting what he needs for good overall health.

Weight Management Contrary to popular belief, snacking does not derail weight loss goals when healthy choices are made and portion control is used. In fact, according to MayoClinic.com, healthy snacking helps manage hunger and reduces bingeing at meal times. Include daily healthy snacks between meals to keep blood sugar levels stable and maintain energy levels. Healthy low calorie options include a piece of fruit, fresh vegetables alone or with hummus or yogurt based dips, and whole-grain crackers or pretzels.

Children ages 1 to 18 require increased calories and nutrients per pound of body weight as compared to adults to meet physical needs related to growth, development and repair. School-aged children need approximately 1,600 to 2,500 calories daily. Boys may need as many as 2,500 to 3,000 calories per day as they enter puberty. Girls tend to need fewer calories than boys; regardless of gender, very active kids need more calories. Snacks are a great way to meet this increased need. Make snacks interesting for preschool- and school-aged children with dips, food art, smoothies and cookie cutters to cut cheese, veggies and sandwiches into fun shapes. High school-aged kids will need portable snacks, especially if involved in after-school sporting activities. Wholesome granola bars, string cheese, trail mix or fruit are additional options.