—- -_-—— Keep Kids Fueled With Fiber (NAPSA)—No one likes to be hungry—especially children! Since good nutrition is essential to normal growth and develop- ment, it’s important to feed hun- gry children food that tastes good, satisfies hunger and avoids adding unnecessary calories to their diet. “Currently, 15 percent of chil- dren in the U.S. ages 6 to 19 are overweight, and another 16 percent are at risk of becoming over- weight,” said National Fiber Coun- cil (NFC) Board member Christine Williams, MD, MPH. “Fiber-rich foods can play an importantrole in helping children maintain their weight, manage their health and live healthierlives.” In addition to aiding in weight Recommended Daily Fiber Age 1-3 4-8 Intake for Children 9 - 13 (boys) 9 - 13 (girls) 14 - 18 (boys) 14 - 18 (girls) Fiber (grams) 19g 25g 31g 26 g 38 g 26 g e Add fresh spinachto sal- ads and sandwiches instead of lettuce. The leafy vegetable adds crunch as well as fiber and vitamins. e Beef up the standard PB&J. Add dried fruit and bananasin place of jam. e Prepare high-fiber snacks. also help to lower the risk of developing chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol. Pack a plastic bag with a cup or two of air-popped popcorn, a serving of whole-grain crackers or a half cup of your homemade “trail mix.” Or add fresh raspberries and blueberries to yogurt or ice cream. cil recommends a daily intake of 32 grams of fiber, most children Plant a vegetable garden andlet the kids pick out what they would management, a high-fiber diet can While the National Fiber Coun- consume less than a quarter of that amount. “Summeris a great time to add more fiber to your family’s diet,” added Williams. “By taking ad- vantage of the fresh fruit and produce available in stores and at farmers’ markets, you can help boost your child’s fiber intake.” Here are a few ways to add fiber to yourchild’s diet today: e Use whole-grain products when possible. Stock up on whole-grain breads, rolls, crackers and cereal. Encourage whole- grain crackers topped with peanut butter or low-fat cheese as a snack, rather than cookies. Or consider pouring them a bowlof their favorite cereal topped with fresh fruit and low-fat milk. e Get the family involved. like to plant. When your children see the vegetables they planted on their plates, they will be proud of their contribution and morelikely to eat them! If you aren’t sure how much fiber your family needs, refer to the fiber intake chart provided. For a personalized recommendation and sample mealplan,visit the NFC’s Website, www.nationalfibercouncil.org, and use the fiber calculator. You may also want to refer to the NFC’s pocket guide, “Dining In or Dining Out?”, which offers tips for incorpo- rating fiber into your diet at home or on the road. To learn more about the benefits of fiber and/or to request a free pocket guide, log on to the Web site or call (866) 7495296.
