Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in atlanta, GA

Nutrition Tips for Busy Parents with Giveaway!

March 02, 2009

I have a guest post today that came my way courtesy of  Being Savvy Silicon Valley. 

If you're anything like me, making sure your kids get a balanced meal and proper nutrition, but when it comes to yourself, sometimes things slide.  Bungamom from Being Savvy Silicon Valley has asked Bonnie Johnson and Deanna Segrave-Daly, registered dietitians for tips on helping Mom take care of Mom.

I know, I know, being a parent is tough.  We're so focused on taking care of our children that sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves.  Nutrition-wise, we often take the quick and easy way out -- a cookie here, a bag of chips there, a cup of coffee for breakfast, half of our children's mac-n-cheese at dinnertime .  I'm as guilty as anyone.  But what's a busy parent to do? Today's guest posters, Bonnie Johnson and Deanna Segrave-Daly, serve up five great ways parents can
maintain a healthy lifestyle even in the midst of all the childhood chaos.  As registered dietitians, they know the ins and outs of good nutrition.  Even more important, they are moms who understand that our busy, crazy schedules means we need quick, manageable solutions -- and all the help we can get.


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5 Basic Boosts for Busy Parents
From Two Spicy Moms
Bonnie Johnson, MS, RD and Deanna Segrave-Daly, RD, LDN (on behalf of Tree Top Trim ®)

1) Kick Up Your Heels - Don't make exercise a daunting chore. Have a 20-minute dance party with the kids. Everyone gets to pick one song. Try out different rhythms or steps like hula, cha-cha, the twist or the oldie-but-goodie chicken dance.

2) Faster Fruits - Often, we are so focused on getting our children to eat healthy, we forget about ourselves (sound familiar?) And most of us need to at least double our daily dose of fruit. So, instead of trying to count that strawberry cheesecake as a serving, try:

1/2 cup applesauce - Add a dash of cinnamon and/or nutmeg

1 can of trim® Juice drink - New from Tree Top, one can counts as a 1/2 cup of fruit serving and comes in yum flavors like Mango Peach and Strawberry Kiwi)

1/4 cup dried fruit - Try tossed into cereal, over a salad or eaten on the go

3) Satiety is the new buzzword in healthy eating - it's that feeling of satisfaction after a meal or snack. It makes sense - if you are satisfied longer, you won't scarf down those extra calories you really don't need (like the remnants of junior's PB&J.) Fiber has great satiating power.  Shoot for getting more fiber by choosing cereals with five grams or more fiber per serving, tossing a can of beans into a pasta dish, having a small bowl of popcorn  or enjoying a single serve can of trim® which has three grams of fiber per serving.

4) Get Some Extra Zs - That's sounds dreamy but how do you get your head on the pillow when  you are multitasking long after the kids are in bed? Research shows that a good night sleep can reduce stress, improve your memory and even increase your success at weight loss. While experts recommend at least 8 hours a night, start by going to bed just 15 minutes early. Do that every night for a month - and see how you feel (and if you can up it another 15 minutes.) And yes, this is one of Deanna's New Year's resolutions.

5) Cover Your Bases - As dietitians, we recommend getting your vitamins and minerals from food first. But as moms, we know you can't have it all. Add a basic multivitamin to your morning routine just to be sure. But remember, it's called a supplement because it SUPPLEMENTS your diet (rather than replaces food) - and really, we're all about keeping as much tasty and healthy food in your diet as possible!)


*** Win it! I have five Trim Gift Boxes to give out!  To win:

1. Leave a comment with your tips and any advice you have for other Mom's (and Dad's) to stay active and healthy.

Then....

2. Send me an email at  mimi_jenkins@hotmail.com with "Atlanta Trim Giveaway" in the subject line so I can contact the winners.

Do this by Friday, March 13th and I'll randomly pick five winners to try Tree Top Trim for free!

Getting In Shape With Kids in Tow.

by Mimi Jenkins

January 09, 2009

It seems every year I have a resolution or goal to get back in shape. I start the year off with good intentions, but by the time February rolls around the winter blues have set in and my goals are forgotten. This year, though, I'm putting this out there so I have to do it. I'm doing the " Couch to 5K " program. I want to run in a 5K race this year so I'm determined to get through the 9  Read more...