Fruits & Veggies — More Matters! Eating more pears as part of an overall healthy diet is only the beginning. Fruit and vegetables help fight chronic diseases, and studies show that heart disease starts as early as adolescence. As well, with overweight and obesity on the rise in children, it’s important to provide your children with healthful choices that build a strong foundation for lifelong good habits. Pears are a healthy food! The different variety of pears increase colors, shapes, textures, and interest in your child’s meals. Pears contain no sodium, are fat-free, saturated fat-free, and cholesterol-free, and are an excellent source of fiber and a…

Pears: An Excellent Source of Fiber for Kids! A lot of children struggle with regularity and constipation. This is usually due to a lack of variety in the diet, and food jags (when kids only want to eat one particular food at each meal). However, including food sources of dietary fiber in your child’s diet may prevent constipation! Dietary fiber acts in two ways against constipation – it helps to bulk the stool and soften the stool. The combination of these two features results in large, soft stools that are much easier for the colon to move along, reducing strain,…

Feeding your Infant According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most infants will show signs of developmental readiness to try solid foods by 6 months of age. At this age, the infant’s digestive system is maturing so that protein, carbohydrates, and fat from foods other than breast milk or formula may be properly absorbed. An infant’s immune system is also stronger, so the risk of allergic reaction to various foods is reduced. At this time, infants are beginning to take command of their neuromuscular systems, so that they can take food from a spoon, chew soft foods, and swallow. Most…

Pear Snack Ideas Most kids love to eat, but maybe they don’t love to eat the healthiest foods. Adding pears to their favorite dishes or coming up with some new ways to include pears in your child’s daily menu will increase the nutrition content of their foods without a lot of added time or trouble! Kids also love to help select food and prepare recipes with you, so include your kids in the kitchen and watch them eat up their creations! If serving pears fresh, dipping in lemon or orange juice will prevent browning. Sliced or whole pears are a…

Help Kids Pick Pears Overweight and obesity are becoming more common in children in the United States. This is a worrisome situation, but there is something that parents can do! To help a child grow into his weight, choose more nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits and vegetables, increase activity, and limit calorie-dense or “junk” foods. As the parent, you decide what food your child is offered, and your child decides how much he or she wants to eat. Offering foods that lack vital nutrients limits a child’s choices, and limits development of his or her taste personality. As well, punishing…