Top 7 Worst Foods for Kids

1. Soda!
American children drink more soft drinks today than ever. The average 12-
ounce can of soda supplies almost 10 teaspoons of sugar, which can contribute to obesity and tooth decay. Kids who drink soda instead of milk are also shortchanging their bones of calcium and other nutrients.

2. Chips!
Giving your child a handful of chips with lunch on occasion is fine, but keep in mind that potato chips, corn chips, and cheese puffs are mostly fat, sodium, and empty calories.

3. Doughnuts!
Most are packed with artery-clogging saturated fat and trans-fatty acids. An average doughnut also has 200 to 300 calories and few other nutrients.

4. French Fries!
It's unfortunate that fries are the most popular vegetable dish in the U.S. Kids love them, but they're extremely high in fat and have few vitamins.

5. Fruit Leather!
Most rolled-up dried fruit has a dab of fruit, a teeny bit of fiber, few vitamins except those that have been added, and lots of sugar.

6. Hot Dogs!
Regular dogs are high in fat (13 or more grams per serving), have lots of sodium and don't provide much protein for the calories. They're also a choking hazard for children 3 and under. Serve only occasionally, look for lower-fat brands(try turkey dogs), and cut into very small pieces for young children.

7. Toaster Pastries!
These contain lots of fat and not much fruit. Instead, make a piece of raisin toast for your child, and serve it with jam.


From Leanne Ely, C.N.C. the author of Healthy Foods: An Irreverent Guide to Understanding Nutrition and Feeding Your Family Well