Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child? We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!

The My Overweight Child blog will help you keep informed about the latest research, findings, and resources available to parents of overweight or obese kids. There are many knowledgeable people working on the increasingly dire problem of childhood obesity - and we want to give parents a place where they can check in regularly to see the latest studies and tips available to help you help your child lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

We invite you to add your comments - if you have feedback for the blog, would like some specific topics covered, or you just want to share your experience as a parent dealing with childhood obesity.

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Do You Get Your 5-10?

Dietary experts say that one of the best things you can do for your child's health is to encourage the daily consumption of at least 5-10 servings of fruits and vegetables. They are full of vitamins and minerals that you won't find in a supplement, and they help to prevent many diseases and reduce the likelihood of obesity.

One fruit or vegetable serving is:
1/2 cup of cooked or raw cut up fruits or vegetables
1 cup of leafy greens
3/4 cup fruit or vegetable juice
1 medium apple, banana or orange

This may sound like a lot, but there are many creative ways to fit in all of those servings. Try stir-fried veggies or vegetable kabobs for dinner. Add pears, peaches or oranges to a green salad for lunch. Make a whole-wheat pasta salad and add broccoli, carrots, zucchini and red or yellow peppers. You can add grated vegetables to pizza sauce, fruit on top of your yogurt or cereal and cut-up grapes to your tuna salad.

Posted By: Lori S