The American Heart Association estimates that every day nearly one-third of American kids eats a fast-food meal. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that cholesterol-reducing statin drugs be considered for children who are overweight.
Wouldn't it be a better approach if parents took control of their children's diets and made sure their kids made more healthful food choices? Here's a book that will help parents help their kids: "Real Food for Healthy Kids: 200+ Easy, Wholesome Recipes" by Tracey Seaman and Tanya Wenman Steel (William Morrow, $29.95, 384 pages).
Not only is the book filled with easy, healthful recipes, but it includes nutrition guidelines, tips for getting kids to eat healthful meals and for dealing with food allergies, lunchbox suggestions, and a list of Web sites and other sources of good information.
Recipes include kid-pleasing fare such as totem poles (roasted asparagus), rockin' ranch dressing, tater-brocky (potato and broccoli casserole) and strongman's oatmeal (made with an egg). Recipes include prep time and nutrition breakdown, and all have been taste-tested by kids.
