Healthy Meals & Snacks

As the summer kicks off and families get busier, parents need simple tips on ways to help kids make healthier snack choices and reduce grocery bills as summer snacking picks up with kids spending more time at home. In addition to the high price of gas, food prices rose 5 percent in 2007 and are expected to continue to rise another 4 to 5 percent in 2008. And with kids consuming an average of 840 snacks per year, busy families will surely experience a dent in their wallets. Whether it's sticking home and being lazy, taking a trip to the beach or a play date in the backyard, one thing remains clear: it is tough to save money and eat a healthy, well-balanced diet when kids are eating you out of house and home.

Sometimes, even after explaining all the benefits, it can still be hard to convince your kids to want to eat nutritious food, but it's not impossible, particularly if it's fun and delicious. Here are some great, soy-packed snacks you and your kids can make and enjoy together.

Healthier families include 5 to 9 servings of fruit and vegetables each day. A healthier family is also on the move, so include at least 30 minutes of moderate activity everyday, such as walking. These simple changes are easier than you think and help to improve your entire family's health.

Because most children and teens eat a lot of snacks, their nutritional content may go a long way in determining whether their nutritional needs are being met. There are a wide variety of healthy snack choices for children and teens, including crunch, chewy, creamy and juicy snacks.

Looking for ideas for a high-carbohydrate menu for your child? Here's a sample menu.

Need some ideas on high-carbohydrate meals to feed your young athlete? Here are some sample meals.