Archive for the ‘Healthy Eating’ CategoryPotatoes Omelet- Tortilla EspanolaFriday, March 5th, 2010
I can save your airfare right now by showing you how to make Tortilla Espanola, right here. In the United States we think about breakfast when we serve eggs in any form, but Tortilla Espanola is mostly eaten as part of lunch or dinner, or as a “tapa” at any time of the day. The nutrition advantage starts with the proportion of carbohydrates and protein provided by the potatoes and eggs; it also includes onion, adding vitamin C and fiber; and it ends with the flavor of olive oil that helps maintain your cholesterol in balance. In itself, Tortilla Espanola is a meal. You can serve it for dinner and, with a lettuce and tomato salad, the Mediterranean flavor is complete. You may as well be sitting in a terrace at a café in Madrid. Ingredients: 4 medium potatoes. Cut the potatoes in small cubes, after pilling them; add salt. Fry them in abundant olive oil. Now, when it comes to answering the question of how much olive oil to use, I only can tell you A LOT. I remember when I prepared Tortilla for some friends in California, at their house, and they gave me a tiny container of olive oil to fry my potatoes. At the time, in the 80’s, there was a big “low fat” and “fat free” movement. The whole population was scared about eating anything containing fat, even if it was natural, monounsaturated fat that is good-for-you, as is the case with olive oil. My friends did not want to listen to my arguments and requested that I boil the potatoes, instead of frying them. I did, but the result was not spectacular, like it should be. I encourage using enough olive oil where you can easily fry your potatoes without them becoming too dry and sticky. Mince the onion and add it to the frying pan after about 5 minutes, since onions cook faster than potatoes. During the frying process, I like to mash the potatoes with a rubber spatula, as they become softer. They are done when they are lightly brown. Take the potatoes and onion mixture out of the oil, squeezing out extra oil, and reserve. Beat the 4 eggs and add salt to them. Add the fried potatoes and onions to the beaten eggs and mix all well. In an 8” frying pan, put 3 tablespoons of olive oil and heat it up. When is hot, add the eggs, potatoes and onions mixture and turn the heat to medium. Shape the sides with a fork, making the edges round and smooth. Cook for about 5 minutes. Turn the omelet by placing a plate over the pan and flipping it over. Add one tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and place the omelet in the pan to cook on the other side for about 4-5 minutes. Tortilla Espanola makes a nice dish that is enjoyed by all ages. If you have a concern about calories, eat a small piece. Remember, it is best to eat good quality food in small amounts. Get your stomach used to handling smaller portions of nutritious foods and you won’t feel hungry as often. Marta Katalenas M.D. Posted in Healthy Eating, Healthy Recipes | No Comments » Childhood Obesity: Kids Must Play the Hand They’re DealtFriday, February 19th, 2010
Biology plays a significant role in weight. On HealthyChildren.org, the American Academy of Pediatrics cites a Danish study which compared the body mass index (BMI) of adults who had been adopted with their birth parents’ and with their adoptive parents’. Overwhelmingly, their BMI matched that of their biological parents, even though they had been raised with the eating habits of their adoptive family. Without a doubt, it is more difficult for some children to maintain a healthy weight than it is for other children. But – and this is a key point – staying at a healthy weight is beneficial for all children. So whether it’s easy or difficult for a child to stay trim, the effort is worthwhile. Children who are obese are more likely to suffer from asthma, joint pain, high blood pressure, severe headaches, gallstones… the list goes on and on. One of the most serious potential health issues an overweight child might face is Type 2 diabetes. With diabetes come daily blood sugar testing, possible injections, medications, frequent doctor visits, and constant vigilance that is much more onerous than losing weight would’ve been in the first place. What should parents do when their children complain it’s not fair? With kindness and understanding, parents should help their children to understand that each person must play the hand they’re dealt. In other words, what is, is. Every person is unique and must find her way through the world from her unique perspective, with all the advantages and disadvantages that go with it. When genetics are a factor in a child being overweight, in all likelihood, her parents have struggled with the same issues. This, again, can be both positive and negative. If parents have given up the fight and keep an abundance of unhealthy foods in the house, then it’s nearly impossible for a child to lose weight. On the other hand, if the parents change their habits, start eating healthy and exercising more, they can be the best possible support system for their children. Their shared DNA means they can share the frustrations and triumphs, and grow closer than ever. Losing weight for some families might not be easy, but by working together, they can do it. And because they made that commitment and stuck with it, those families will live happier, healthier, and longer lives. Posted in Healthy Eating | No Comments » Fish Stew – Easy and Delicous!Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Well, I misspoke. I cannot cook without pimenton (Spanish paprika) and saffron, so I always have those two condiments at my fingertips. I strongly advise you to invest in buying them, since they can add the little kick of Mediterranean taste that some dishes need. They are both natural, unprocessed, no additives or chemical added ingredients you are going to love. But this days talking about price is important; I must say that Pimenton is not expensive since a small can of it (2.5 oz) can last months. Saffron, on the other hand, is considered the most precious and expensive spice IN THE WORLD. It comes in small filaments that are only the stigmas of the saffron flower (a member of the Iris family). Since each flower has only 3 stigmas and they must be removed from the flower by hand, it makes this spice one of the most expensive you can find. Luckily, you only need a few filaments to cook a meal! Saffron has been known since ancient times, being mentioned in the Bible. Older civilizations used it for cooking because of its unique aroma and yellow coloring properties. They also used it to make perfumes and for its therapeutic properties. It was used to calm fevers, as a liver tonic and to calm nerves. Anyway, the history is long and vast, since most ancient civilizations used it, including the Romans, Greeks and Egyptians. Today, it is indispensable ingredient in Spanish cuisine and used in all Mediterranean countries. Going back to the fish stew. Say it is Monday evening and you are driving home from work, exhausted and hungry. Let say you already have 4 potatoes, ½ onion, 2 garlic cloves, ¼ of a green bell pepper and some olive oil at home. Well, all you have to do is pay a quick visit to your friendly HEB store and pick up some white fish. You can choose between basa, cod, halibut…it goes well with any white fish. You need about 1 ½ lb. When you get home, before you change, cut the potatoes in pieces and set aside. Mince the onions, the garlic and bell pepper and cook it all in about 4 tablespoons of olive oil, until the onions are transparent. At this point you add the potatoes, in cubes, and add water to barely cover the potatoes. Add 2 teaspoons of Pimenton and 1 envelop of saffron. Cook over medium-low for 20 minutes. Now you can go and change. You also have time to check out the evening news. Now you are ready to cut the fish in small pieces, about 1×1” and add the fish to the cooking mixture. The fish will cook fast; you may need an additional 15 minutes. While you set the table and put together a salad, your fish stew will rest and absorb all the flavorings of its ingredients. Ah! I forgot to mention 1bay leaf. You should add it to the stew when you add the fish. Look in the back of your pantry, you may have some. By now you may be aware of the many studies praising the benefits of Omega 3 oils. Well, here you have them. Fish stew provides a balanced mixture of carbohydrates and protein, together with the vitamins and soothing effect of the herbs and vegetables. Perfect for dinner. Your family will be able to enjoy from the door, the minute they step into the house. I still remember the complaints of my kids when they were small. Those of you with kids know exactly what I am talking about. I had to mash everything with a fork before they would agree to eat it; they didn’t want to feel the fish, or the pepper, and blah, blah, blah. I also remember doing the exact same thing to my mother. Now we all enjoy this very simple and nutritious dish. It is time for you to create traditions and memories. The best ones will come from your efforts, when you try to teach your children to enjoy good food. Posted in Healthy Eating, Healthy Recipes | No Comments » Parents: Are Your Kids Getting Too Much Salt?Friday, January 15th, 2010High blood pressure in children is not as rare as you might think. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has found that about 5% of children have blood pressure that’s higher than normal. Less than 1% of children have blood pressure that’s high enough to be classified as medically significant, but whenever a child’s blood pressure is higher than normal, it’s cause for concern. Those children face a much higher risk of developing dangerously high blood pressure as they age. One of the main contributing factors in high blood pressure for people of any age is too much salt. Salt should be used very sparingly and, in most cases, not at all. What can parents do? The fastest and most effective change you can make is to stop serving your child processed foods. Most of the sodium in our diets comes from processed foods. For example, when you make a box of Kraft macaroni and cheese, one serving has 580 milligrams of sodium. Weigh that against the recommended daily allowance of sodium for adults, 1500-2400 milligrams, then adjust for your child’s age and size. On the other hand, if you use a bag of pre-shredded cheddar cheese to make macaroni and cheese from scratch – skip the salt, which is unnecessary – it will take about the same amount of time but will cut the sodium by 25%! Even better, make it with low-fat cheese and a healthier alternative to butter, and serve it with a small salad to help fill up your child’s tummy.
Honestly, healthy cooking doesn’t have to take any longer than putting together a prepackaged meal. One kitchen tool that I highly recommend is a steamer. You can throw a few frozen chicken breasts into the steamer basket along with the vegetables, turn on the steamer, and then walk away. Give the kids a bath and, by the time you’re finished, dinner is cooked. Sprinkle on some salt-free seasoning when the food is done. Nothing could be easier than that. Fast food restaurants are notorious for using packaged foods, and like all packaged foods, they’re heavily laden with salt. Limit your trips to a fast food restaurant to no more than once a month. If you must eat out more often than that, choose a local restaurant where the food is cooked fresh. Want to learn more about healthy eating for kids?
A good place to start is at www.HealthyChildren.org, a website developed by AAP to teach parents about all health issues facing your children. It’s your job to educate your children, and the first step is to educate yourself. Posted in Healthy Eating | No Comments » New Year ResolutionsMonday, January 4th, 2010
Here I am again, thinking up goals to accomplish in 2010. My list this year is long and diverse: I want to learn how to play baseball and dance flamenco. I am going to exercise in the morning at least 2 days per week and I am going to resume pilates and yoga, but this time I am not going to find excuses as regularly as I did during the old 2009. We are going to have “ board game night” with the kids on Friday night and I am going to take the dogs for a walk twice a day. By having all of those projects I can be sure to accomplish at least one of them, you see. I’m not the only one making a wish list at this time of the year. I can see television commercials advertising exercise plans, gym memberships and diet plans every time I tune in. We are all ready to go. We feel energized. We need to start over. It gives us a good feeling to talk to people and find out their special projects and wishes for the new year. I can sense the energy flowing from person to person and the positive thinking that makes anything possible running through the days during this very first part of the year. I love it. I know I’m not going to meet all my goals but, you know what? I’m sure going to try. Last week I was trying to explain to one of my adolescent patients how easy it is to lose 10 lbs in one year without a lot of pain and sacrifice. Imagine you have the habit of coming home in the evening and drinking a can of soda before dinner. Every can/bottle of soda has about 140 calories, but we are going to imagine it contains just 100 calories, to make the numbers easier to calculate. By giving up that evening soda alone you are going to miss 36,500 calories by the end of the year. Since every 3,500 calories translates into 1 lb, by December 2010 you can be 10.4 lb lighter, without even trying hard; just by giving up a small part of your day. Can you imagine how much weight loss you can add to the equation by going for a walk around the block instead of sitting down to drink the soda? How about running around the block instead of walking? It would take just a couple of minutes! You get the picture. Yes, it is not that difficult. But, like everything in life, you must be consistent and keep going. Don’t give up. Stick to your plan even when you don’t see immediate results. We live in a society that claims instant gratification and we seldom recognize the value of persistence and stamina when it comes to accomplishing a goal. Remember, the journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step. Happy, Healthy 2010 to y’all! Marta Katalenas M.D. Posted in Healthy Eating | No Comments » X-MAS LITE, AND A HAPPY NEW YEARMonday, December 28th, 2009
When I go to Spain she cooks for me. She doesn’t get tired and she never makes excuses to avoid cooking. Everyday I spend there she asks me in the morning: “ What do you want to eat today?” On Christmas Eve I wanted to know what she was making. She told me she was going to cook light, since they had been overeating for a few days and she doesn’t like going to bed while still digesting heavy food. She made white fish with shrimp, saffron rice and spinach with garlic. I’ve tried this recipe before and I am going to adopt it for New Year’s Eve. This is how it goes: You take 2 white fish fillets; it can be any kind of white fish, from pangessius to cod. You place them in an oven-safe dish, applying olive oil to the bottom part, in contact with the dish. Then you take about ¾ lb of uncooked shrimp, cut them in very small pieces and place them over the fish, covering the whole surface. Then apply mayonnaise on top, being careful not to disrupt the shrimp on top of the fish. A good way to apply the mayonnaise is by using a rubber spatula, which allows you to make the surface smooth. How much mayonnaise to apply? I don’t know, enough to have the shrimp completely covered. Be generous! Then you only have to place in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until you observe the mayonnaise is turning brown. The saffron rice is prepared just the way you would prepare white rice, but adding saffron. Take 1 cup of rice, ½ onion and 1 garlic clove. Warm up 2 ½ cups of water and in the mean time start sautéing the onion and garlic in about 3 tablespoons of olive oil. When the water is about to boil, add the rice to the onions and garlic and, immediately, cover it all with the boiling water. Add 1 envelope or 1 tsp of saffron and allow cooking for about 20 minutes. Add salt while it is cooking. The spinach part of the meal adds even more color and texture. In a wok, place 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 3 garlic cloves. When the garlic starts to get golden, add the spinach, stirring until they are done; it takes a couple of minutes. Be aware, spinach reduces in size a lot when you cook them. Plan to use a large amount if you are feeding 4 people or more. I usually buy a big tub containing 16 oz of spinach at the grocery store. If we don’t eat it all at one meal, no problem, it tastes good if you microwave it the next day. This will be my New Year’s Eve dinner. This year my family and I decide to create a new tradition for Christmas Eve. We decided to cook something humble and easy, since we are celebrating the birth of He who was Humble and Modest. We made fried potatoes, eggs and Spanish chorizo. This combination constitutes the typical Spanish meal for when you don’t have anything else ready. If you visit friends or relatives unannounced at mealtime and they don’t have enough food prepared to share, they will make you a good plate of fried potatoes with eggs and chorizo. All fried in abundant olive oil. It is not calorie-free, as no food is, but it is natural and simple. From now on, fried potatoes with eggs and chorizo are going to be my family’s Christmas Eve meal. A tradition I hope my kids would continue for years to come in their own houses (if they ever move out of mine, that is). Note: if interested in buying good Spanish chorizo, visit www.latienda.com. Happy 2010 to you all! Marta Katalenas M.D. Posted in Healthy Eating, Healthy Recipes | No Comments » The Emotional Impact of Obesity on ChildrenMonday, December 14th, 2009
Studies cited by the American Academy of Pediatrics (www.aap.org) find that “obese children have lower self esteem and self confidence than their thinner peers.” No big surprise. Kids haven’t learned to separate their sense of “self” from their body image, so when they perceive themselves to be less attractive than other kids, they believe they have less value, too. Unfortunately, this belief is reinforced by everything they see on TV and in magazines, which trumpet beauty as the most important asset a person can have. We know better, but our kids don’t. The other kids your children are around don’t know better, either, which means that overweight children get more than their fair share of teasing, and they have a harder time making friends. Remember how important your friends were when you were a child? Imagine getting through one hour on the playground without friends to play with, watching the other kids from a distance. Inside the classroom, your child’s schoolwork can suffer because of a lack of self esteem. Then poor grades make them feel even worse about themselves creating a downward spiral. What you can do The first and most important piece of advice is: Don’t become part of the problem. Don’t try to tease your child into changing their eating habits. Making fun of your child’s weight is not the way to help them lose a few pounds. Instead of positioning yourself as the enemy, become part of your child’s support system. Reinforce everything you love about this special person, every unique and wonderful quality. Let your home be a haven from the stresses of the world. At the same time, do encourage healthier eating by setting a positive example. Be honest with yourself. Do you prepare healthy meals for your kids? Do you make healthy choices when grocery shopping? Start by creating a more active life for your family by getting involved in fun activities with your child. Even taking a brisk walk around the neighborhood can be fun, and it can give you and your kids a chance to chat about your day. Being fit and healthy physically increases your child’s chance to be happy. Next time you reach for an unhealthy snack, think about the cost to your child’s long-term happiness. By Dr. Marta Katalenas Posted in Healthy Eating, Healthy Recipes | No Comments » Tips for Combating Childhood Obesity this ChristmasSaturday, December 12th, 2009
You may be thinking that you don’t want to ruin the wonder of Christmas for your kids by depriving them of holiday goodies. However, think about what allowing your kids to overindulge does to them. Childhood obesity causes joint pain, high blood pressure, and diabetes, as well as a host of other ailments associated more often with middle-aged adults. Here are some practical suggestions to keep Christmas fun and merry, while also encouraging your children toward better health. As a bonus gift to you, you might even lose a couple of pounds over the holidays, too. Walk more.
Eat less.
Have a wonderful – and healthy – holiday season! Dr. Marta Katalenas Posted in Healthy Eating | No Comments » U.S. Obesity Rates Continue to RiseMonday, November 23rd, 2009
Childhood obesity rates have more than tripled since 1980. The states with a higher obesity rate are those in the South, including Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia; they all have a prevalence of 30 % or more. That means that out of 100 children, 30 meet criteria for obesity. Concerning and sad statistics. The latest CDC obesity data also indicates that none of the 50 states achieved the Healthy People 2010 goal of reducing obesity prevalence to 15 % or less. Pediatricians use Body Mass Index (BMI) to asses obesity in childhood. It is an easy, fast way to determine who is at risk during the yearly health supervision visit. Reviews of data from pediatric patients indicate a clear correlation between BMI and lower socioeconomic status, based on parent’s education and family income. But, why is this happening, contrary to what history teaches us? About 500 years ago, wealthy individuals were the ones showing a distension of their waistline. Looking at European history, those who were rich and powerful could afford more food, and being fat was a sign of prosperity. Today, the economic crisis is causing the opposite effect: food prices for nutritious foods are expected to go up and eating healthy is going to be more difficult to afford. These days it is less expensive to go out for a hamburger and fries that to make the effort to prepare good food at home. It is also faster and it takes less work. Parents today must make an effort to increase the quality of the food they give to their kids and make sure they are getting enough exercise. And don’t forget about portion size. The only way for parent to ensure their children’s future health is by taking control of their eating habits now. If we give it enough time Health Insurance Companies are going to start paying attention to the correlation between childhood obesity and the development of chronic health problems later in life. I believe they are already aware and considering what to do next. The only feasible solution will be to charge more to those at risk, that is, those who’s BMI is outside of what is considered normal. At our office we run a Nutrition Management Program for kids. I have observed how difficult it is to maintain good eating habits when the whole family already has an increased BMI. I have also decided to intervene earlier, when the child is starting to cross percentiles in the wrong direction. It is then apparent that loosing or maintaining weight is a lot easier and, since the results of a diet plan are seen faster, the whole family is more likely to participate. Exercise is at the other side of the equation. After all Energy Intake = Energy Expenditure, if we want to avoid accumulation of fat tissue. Studies have demonstrated a clear correlation between obesity and the presence of a TV set in the child’s bedroom. Remember when you used to walk 3 miles to school over 1 foot of snow? What are we supposed to do?My advice is to consult your doctor in order to identify where the main obstacle to good health is. We all know the list, but it is crucial to create a priority and tackle one difficulty at a time. It is reassuring to observe how some intervention, even a small one, makes an impact in the child’s weight when it is early enough. When the “to do” list is too long everybody gets discouraged and it is more improbable to delay doing anything. Don’t forget to ask your pediatrician what your child’s BMI is at a well-child visit. That is the time to discuss eating issues. Sick visits tend to be quicker, the main concern being to identify and treat what is wrong. Don’t feel embarrassed if you fail. It is important to keep trying and attend follow-up appointments to reinforce what you have learned and share difficulties you may encounter. It takes about 1 year to go through the process of changing eating habits. Just keep going. Never give up. Marta Katalenas M.D. Posted in Healthy Eating | No Comments » Nuts About Fish?Friday, November 20th, 2009Do you experiment in the kitchen? I’ve found it to be one of the most relaxing activities at the end of the day. I like fish. But I am often disappointed when I walk through the fish section of the supermarket because the pieces I see are dull and unattractive. They don’t look fresh and shiny, which is the way I am used to seeing fish. Last Saturday I went to Central Market and I had a completely different experience. I saw a piece of codfish that was fresh looking and bright, with the pink marks of blood when the skin has recently been removed from the flesh. I took it home with the intention of cooking it for dinner the next day. When Sunday came I was not inspired at all. I just didn’t know how to prepare the codfish in order to bring out its freshness and flavor. So, I went on a “fishing” expedition through my refrigerator. I often try to rescue “dying” leftover pieces of vegetables or fruits, before they end up in the trashcan. I found an old ¼ of a semi-dry onion and a puny, wrinkly Clementine orange sitting by itself inside one of the lower drawers of the refrigerator. Then I went through the pantry to see if any other ingredients could be utilized. The creativity was sparkling now. Inside the pantry I collected a couple of Macadamia nuts and a few almonds. I always keep nuts at home and I often eat a few with my breakfast. It was clear to me that it was time to go back to the market to re-load my nuts department. So, I decided to place the fresh codfish in an oven-safe dish, applying salt to both sides. I then lightly fried the onion, cut into thin pieces, in about 3 tablespoons of olive oil and I poured it over the fish when the onion was still transparent. I squeezed out half of the Clementine’ orange juice over the fish and I grinded some of the zest of the orange on top. I finished up by grating 2 macadamia nuts and 2 almonds right on top of the fish. I placed in the oven at 350 degrees and, voila! 10 minutes later I had a delicious mixed flavors piece of cod ready to enjoy. My plans for dinner were ruined when Natalie walked into the house and spotted the fish at lunchtime. She ended up eating half of it right there. With half of it gone, I decided to prevent further damage by eating the other half myself. The mixed flavors of the fish, the tangy scent of orange and the deep, yet mild, forestry savor of the nuts gave a unique combination I was proud off. As far as the nutrition power of this dish, I don’t even know where to start. Fish provides a source of protein that is cholesterol-free and low calorie. It also provides Omega 3 fatty acids, essential in the prevention of chronic disorders, cancer, cardiovascular disease, etc. Cooking with olive oil provides the best choice when maintaining a healthy diet that is low in poly-unsaturated fats that are not good for the heart. Nuts provide minerals acting as antioxidants in the prevention of aging and chronic alignments, and onions are rich in vitamins and fiber. A win-win situation. It doesn’t work all the time, but when it works I so feel so accomplished. I have walked into some disasters while experimenting in the kitchen, but I also learned from those mistakes. Such is life. Marta Katalenas M.D. Posted in Healthy Eating | No Comments » |
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If you go to a restaurant in Spain and ask for a “tortilla”, they are not going to bring you the flat, flour pancake like they would here in Texas, or anywhere in the United States. You are going to be presented with a golden color potato and egg, round, pie-like dish I assure you are going to love.
Children want to be just like their friends. This can be a positive, such as encouraging each other to get good grades or to join a sports team. Or it can be a negative, such as filling up on junk food. But the truth is, children are not just like their friends, and they never will be. This is a difficult concept for kids to accept when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight. An overweight child may see his peers overloading on sugary drinks and pizza and think, “If they’re not eating healthy foods and they don’t gain weight, why do I have to diet?” 
Making a delicious meal for the family should not be difficult. It should be easy and painless. If you ever want to impress and at the same time start training your kid’s taste buds in the right direction, try this fish stew recipe that is not complicated. It does require some planning ahead, but no more time consuming that a quick stop at HEB on your way home from work to buy some fresh fish. The rest of the ingredients you may already have at home.
Macaroni and cheese isn’t the only meal that comes from a box. Whenever you’re tempted to pick up a boxed type meal, at the very least, take a moment to look at the nutrition information provided. Do this in the grocery store, before you decide whether you really want to bring this food into your home. Once it’s home, you will make it, and your child will eat it. But if you read the nutrition information in the store and see that one serving has more sodium than your child should eat in a day, you will be more likely to return the box to the shelf and look for healthier alternatives. Soon, you may skip the packaged meal aisle altogether.
Everybody has good intentions at the beginning of a new year. We promise to be good, to eat right and to exercise regularly; even when those were the old, un-met goals for the year that just ended. I know, because I do it every year too.
Have I ever mentioned my mother is the best cook in the whole wide world? Well, she is. All I know about healthy eating I learned from her, even when my trials to emulate her are not that successful. My kids notice the difference first, and I don’t know why, since I follow her teachings to the smallest detail! This is what they tell me: “It is good, but Aya’s taste better”. We call her Aya.
As a pediatrician, I care about more than just your children’s physical health. Mental and emotional wellbeing are equally important. Sadly, the greatest preventable threat to your child’s physical health also threatens their mental and emotional health. I’m talking, of course, about childhood obesity.
Santa Claus is magic in a red velvet suit. Only he can get away with being fat without facing consequences. When our stomachs are like a bowl full of jelly, we face health problems, some quite serious. There are ways that you and your kids can enjoy the holiday season without gaining weight.
“Our heath care cost have grown along with our waist line”, said Jeff Levi, PhD, executive director of Trust for America’s Health. “The obesity epidemic is a big contributor to the skyrocketing health care costs in the United States”.