Central Coast News KION/KCBAs'Cool Food Tips

If they grow it, kids are more likely to eat it.  Plant a garden at your home.  You may be surprised to see how the enthusiasm grows for healthy food.

Make a lunch date!  Have lunch with your child at school and see what's being served first hand.  If it leaves a bad taste, talk to your Food Service Director about how you can help make it better.

Many Central Coast Schools are raising the bar… the salad bar that is!   Have school lunch with your child.  You might be surprised to see how School Food has changed including salad bars stocked with locally grown produce.

Food additives have been scientifically and conclusively linked to ADHD.  Check the ingredients in your food.  Less is more!

Did you know your child's school has a wellness committee?   Attend a meeting and make sure they are working for the health of your child.

Real food doesn't come with a label.   Take your children to a farm, Farmers' Market, or farm stand.   It's a field trip that's good for them! 

Take a dip.   Hummus and yogurt dip can make healthy snacks more fun for children.  If they dip it, they're more likely to eat it!

Raid that refrigerator.  Conquer the cabinet.  Toss products that contain high fructose, corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors, colors and additives.

Be colorful.  Give your kids some green… red… and orange!  40% of all cancer is diet related.   Make sure your child's lunch is in living color.

Today's children are the first in history to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.   Obesity and Diabetes may both be controlled with healthy eating and exercise habits.

One out of every five children is obese.   The rate has tripled in the last 20 years.   Experts say, "You are what you eat."   Today's children are eating too much salt, too much fat, and too much sugar.

Did you know chocolate milk may contain as much sugar as a cup of soda?   Many Central Coast schools are now kicking flavored milk out of class.

Learn to speak Italian.   Parents often say "Eat your vegetables.  They're good for you."  In Italy parents say "Eat your vegetables.   They're good!"

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.   Research shows it takes 7-12 times for a child to accept new food which means that brussels sprout may actually taste great in time.

Buy organic fruits and vegetables whenever you can!   Experts say we eat approximately 5 pounds of pesticides each year.

Children have the most taste buds… ten thousand!   We lose them as we age.  If your children think food is too spicy, sour or hot, it really may be.  Keep it simple, but make it good!

Studies show 40% of all cancer is diet-related.     A wide variety of fruits and vegetables may be the best dose of prevention.

One in every three Central Coast children is overweight or obese.   Heavy children are most likely to develop type 2 Diabetes.  Healthy food can be a lifesaver!

An apple may travel an average of 1,500 miles before we eat it!  Visit a Farmers' Market to shorten the food miles from farm to plate.