What counts as a family meal

Whether you have a toddler or a teen, here are the best strategies to improve nutrition and encourage smart eating habits. Family meals are a comforting ritual for both parents and kids. Children like the predictability of family meals and parents get a chance to catch up with their kids.

In addition, family meals offer the chance to introduce kids to new foods and to act as a role model for healthy eating.

Teens may turn up their noses at the prospect of a family meal — not surprising because they're busy and want to be more independent. Yet studies find that teens still want their parents' advice and counsel, so use mealtime as a chance to reconnect.

What counts as a family meal? Any time you and your family eat together — whether it's takeout food or a home-cooked meal with all the trimmings. Strive for nutritious food and a time when everyone can be there. This may mean eating dinner a little later to accommodate a child who's at sports practice. It can also mean setting aside time on the weekends, such as Sunday brunch, when it may be more convenient to gather as a group

Healthy Snacks For Adults

Many people choose to eat light meals or snacks during the day, in order to help them lose weight more effectively, rather than to eat a heavy meal, and then starve. There are still others, who get these cravings for food and wish to snack, on and off. No matter which category you come into, it is imperative that you choose healthy snacks, so that you can make the most out of your snack breaks.

While soda, candy, and chips are tasty, they are not always the best option since, they will not be able to provide your body with the nutrition that is needed. A healthy snack is one, that will keep you full and give you the nutrition, which you need. It is one, that will not add unnecessary calories but will yet provide you with the energy that you need on a dull day. Some people believe that healthy foods are boring and are not tasty. However, there are various options available for healthy and delicious food.

Healthy Light Meals For Adults
Sandwiches are healthy and tasty. If these are made out of whole grain bread, you will be able to get the full benefit of the fiber you need. You could go in for fillings like cucumbers, tomatoes, ham, or chicken. Add butter or mayonnaise to enhance the taste.

Yogurt is tasty and rich in nutrients like vitamins and proteins, and therefore makes a great snack for adults. Make your yogurt taste different, by adding granola bars, sweeteners or by even, making it into a smoothie.

Popcorn is great, despite the fact that some people have a warped idea that it is high in calories. This is probably the tastiest healthy food available and is sugar-free, low in fat, but rich in fiber. Enjoy a snack of popcorn but just ensure that you do not add too much of butter or salt to it, or it will defeat the purpose of having a healthy snack.

Nuts are easy to carry around and eat wherever you are. They are rich in protein and have high nutritional value. Eating too many of them is not advisable. Therefore, carry around just about three tablespoons of nuts, so that you will not over-indulge.

Bowls of cereals can be really healthy since they are rich in fiber and vitamins. With various new flavors added to cereals these days, no one can say that these are not tasty!

Yogurt with fruit

This recipe is great for breakfast and as a dessert.

Prep and Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
1 apple, chopped
½ cup raisins
1 cup seedless grapes
2 bananas, sliced
1 cup berries, whatever is in season
2 cups plain or vanilla low-fat yogurt


Directions:

Mix all the fruit together. Either top with yogurt or mix yogurt and fruit together.