Page 34 - Sphere No.29 (Jun 2011)

Jus t for Fun
Snacking while busy
Think you are too busy to “snack smart” while you are at work? Think again.
Here are a few quick, easy and – most importantly – healthy options that
can make your afternoon pick-me-up work in favour of your waistline:
• Low fat yogurt – A serving of chilled fruit yogurt is a refreshing and
calcium-rich option for an afternoon tea break.
• Fresh fruit – Enjoy an apple or banana or small cup of berries! Fresh fruit
is packed with vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre, making them low
calorie, yet satisfyingly, filling.
• Nuts and dried fruits – This all-natural, yummy combination
provides you with essential fatty acids, dietary fibre and the
goodness of fruit. Toss in small piece of dark chocolate and
you have a snack that will satisfy both your sweet tooth
and your desire to stay fit.
• Herbal tea – Replace your full-cream coffee, tea or sugary
soda with a cup of soothing herbal tea. Herbal teas are
ultra low-calorie, yet chock-full of antioxidants, which are
good for both your heart and skin.
Among many clients helped by Watsons in-store dieticians are anxious
mothers with children who are picky about eating. Here is the advice the
dieticians give:
1. Realise that your child’s eating habits largely depend on yours. Setting the
right example, both in terms of what you do and do not eat, plus what you
feed your child and when, can go a long way to undoing a child’s picky habits
and curbing new ones.
2. Do not force children to eat. Encourage them to try and eat the food they
push away but do not make them or they may start looking upon such food as
punishment.
3. Make food interesting. This can go a long way to convincing children to try
new food or to eat food they think they do not like. For example, cut broccoli
florets into tiny “trees” and create a “forest” on your child’s plate. Or, if it is
the texture of a new food that your child is sceptical about, try modifying it by
pureeing it into a soup.
4. Do not give food as a gift or a reward. This encourages
children to become even pickier! They get the idea that certain
behaviour, such as tidying up toys or finishing homework, will
always lead to a piece of chocolate. Children may even begin to
see food as a sign that they have pleased their parents, which
can also make them feel they have not pleased them when
parents do not hand out the expected food.
He refuses to
eat his veggies! Help!
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