Parents today are faced with a wide variety of food choices. Processed foods offer variety and enjoyment to our diets. In this article some of the myths and facts about processed foods is discussed.

 HOW CAN I CREATE A LOVE OF HEALTHY FOODS IN MY CHILD?

With the increase in childhood and adult obesity, now more than ever it is important to encourage a balanced diet in young children early on. Getting them familiar with snacking and eating healthy food at a young age will help them battle craving junk food into their adulthood

MY PRESCHOOLER DOES NOT LIKE TO DRINK MILK - WHAT CAN I DO?

Calcium is essential in building healthy, strong and dense bones in young growing bodies. Calcium is definitely a nutrient that children cannot afford to skip. For those that turn up their noses at drinking straight milk, thankfully, there are other ways to get them to drink or eat milk and milk products.

WHICH FATS ARE HEALTHY FOR MY TODDLER?

Fat is a major source of energy for the body and aids in the absorption of Vitamins A, D, E, and K. When eaten in moderation, fat is important for proper growth, development, and the maintenance of good health.  Infants and toddlers have the highest energy needs per unit of body weight of any age group.

MY TODDLER IS A FUSSY EATER AND I AM WORRIED HE IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH IRON

Iron is an essential part of a child's regular diet and is involved in various bodily functions, including the transport of oxygen in the blood to all the cells as well as strong muscle development. When children do not have enough iron they cannot carry enough oxygen to their body’s organs and muscles.

“PRODUCT OF CANADA" - WHAT DOES THAT REALLY MEAN?

When a product is labeled “Product of Canada”, does that really mean it is a product of Canada? As imported food safety becomes a larger and broader issue in today’s global marketplace, more and more people are asking "Where is my food actually coming from?"

SHOULD MY TODDLER DRINK MORE WATER DURING THE SUMMER?

With the summer in full swing, it is imperative to make sure young children stay hydrated and get enough fluids during the day. Many young children love to drink juice and milk, which is great, but water is the best way to stay hydrated. Water is very important for our bodies because it is vital for bodily functions –

LOCAL FOODS – MISSION (IM)POSSIBLE?

Most people have now heard a lot of support for the local food movement. The benefits can be quite obvious - less pollution is created in the transportation of these foods and local foods are generally “safer” or at least more comforting. We know where they were grown and that Ontario regulations, practices and laws were followed.

READING FOOD LABELS

Food labels contain a wealth of information about the healthiness of a product if you know how to interpret them. The main purpose of packaging is to sell the product and it doesn’t tell you anything about how healthy the product is inside. Packaging only tells you what the manufacturer wants you to think about the product.

BEST COLD AND FLU FIGHTERS

Young children are especially prone to catching a few colds or flu this winter. A well balanced diet, exercise and good hygiene will keep their immune system strong and help fight the colds and flu they may encounter.

OMEGA-3 - CHILD'S "BRAIN BOOSTER" OR PRODUCT MARKETING BOOSTER?

Many products found on store shelves today are infused with health-enriching omega-3 fatty acids; products such as yogurt, milk, bread, eggs and orange juice. The questions we need to ask are: do these infused products contain significant amounts of Omega-3 and are there better sources of these fatty acids?