Replace junk food with healthy, delicious snacks

Sugar-free desserts

The best thing you can do for yourself is cut down on sugar. Not only does it pack in the pounds, research shows that sugar can hamper the immune system, increase risk for yeast and bacteria infections, and leads to a chromium deficiency (chromium regulates the blood sugar).

But it’s hard to say no to dessert, or the occasional cravings for something sweet. Reach for a healthier option: Murray Sugar Free. You can get your favorite treats — chocolate chip cookies, creme sandwich cookies, and vanilla wafers — withoutthe sugar overload. Murray is available at leading supermarkets.

Low-calorie snacks

Instead of reaching for a bag of chips — full of salt, fat, and empty calories that immediately land on your hips — satisfy your craving for something crunchy with popcorn. For almost 4,000 years, people have enjoyed this low-calorie, high-fiber treat. It’s good for the heart and helps reduce the risk of colon cancer. It’s also twice as filling as candy bars and peanuts, so you eat less but still feel satisfied. Popcorn has also been given the stamp of approval by the National Cancer Institute, the American Dental Association, and the American Dietetic Association.

We recommend Orville Redenbacher popcorn. Light, fluffy, and tender, it’s made of 100% whole grains and has zero grams of trans fat per serving. It also leaves the fewest unpopped kernels. Choose fro these variants: Movie Theater Butter, Butter, Butter Light, Smart Pop! 94% Fat Free, Kettle Korn. This is available at leading supermarkets.

Load up on wheat

Wheat breads are high in nutrients and fiber, and are cited by diet experts as a more calorie-friendly alternative to regular white breads. Wheat breads also have a delicious nutty flavor and are packed with energy. The question is, will kids eat them? Yes, with these tips from US Wheats Associates:

• Variety is the “slice” of life. Kids easily get tired of the same sandwich. Alternate different kids of breads.
• Cut sandwiches into different shapes (you can even use cookie cutters). Try making bacon smileys or cheesy eyes (use mayonnaise to attach).
• Combine different healthy fillings such as chicken strip, bacon bits, fisk flakes, tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, onions, basil leaves, or dried and fresh fruits. These combinations put color into sandwiches and introduce them into different flavors.
• If you have leftover sweet breads, turn it into a yummy pudding sandwich by crushing and combining with milk. Use jams and choco spread as a filling.