Fruits and vegetables (Photo credit: nutrilover)

Most mothers are keen on what they feed their children. Our number one goal is to make sure they eat food that are healthy and will keep their little bodies strong as they grow. When things are hectic and time runs low, there is a turn of events with fast food taking over the dining table. Here is a list of 5 foods that you should avoid feeding your kids whenever possible.

Processed Meats

Kids will do almost anything for a hot dog or some other processed meat. However, these come packed with fillers, artificial colors, sodium, potentially carcinogenic nitrites and nitrates as well as saturated fats. So potent is this deadly mix that kids who ate 12 hot dogs in one month were found to be 9 times more likely to suffer from leukemia. Pre-packed lunches should be avoided as well. They can have a fat count of up to 38 grams, which is more than half the amount recommended for an adult. Imagine what they can do to your child.

Fruit Roll-ups

Don’t be deceived by the word ‘fruit’ in these gelatin snacks. There is only a trace amount of fruit and the rest is artificial color and lots of sugar. If it’s in the candy section it’s candy, fruit will be on the fruit and vegetable aisle.

Juice

If the drink you are buying is not 100% juice, chances are that you are giving your child high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors and flavors to drink. Avoid these drinks like the plague and instead plan on squeezing your own juice from fresh fruit. This way you are not contending with additives. However, it is recommended that children take only 4- 6 oz of juice daily. Even though the juice you squeeze out for yourself has much vitamin C, the fiber is lost. Encourage your child to eat the fruit instead of drinking juice.

French Fries

We have all heard of this one before but it’s worth repeating. French fries have too much sodium, fat and calories to be good for your child. When starchy foods like potatoes are deep fried, heating them to extreme temperatures, acrylamide, a cancer causing agent is produced. French fries do not have much nutritional benefit at least not as much as can be found in spinach, Brussels sprouts, carrots and the like. Children could eat French fries every day if you allow them, so put a stop to it or reduce the consumption of fries in your home as much as possible.

Non-Organic Chicken Nuggets

This is an all time favorite for kids and we have all been told that white meat is healthy, so what is the problem? Chicken nuggets made from organic meat are very healthy for your child. However, the commercial kind is made up of high fructose corn syrup, sodium and compressed fat. They may look like organic chicken breast, but most of them are made from left over pieces of skin and chicken meat ground together and shaped like a nugget. These are not healthy for your child and should be avoided at all costs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6162959

By Kelly DiLauro