A surge in appetite around the age of ten in girls and twelve in boys foreshadows the growth spurt of puberty. How much of a surge? Let’s just say that Mom and Dad might want to oil the hinges on the refrigerator door and start stockpiling a small cache of their own favorite snacks underneath the bed.

Sarah Blunden, P.Dt, CDE, CPT, Professional Dietitian, talks about how computer screens and computer devices can affect eating habits in teens and children.

Sarah Blunden, P.Dt, CDE, CPT, Professional Dietitian, talks about how junk food can effect mental health in teenagers.

Another tip for when taking your kids to the grocery store is trying to make them accountable for their choices of snacks, but also helping them and guiding them. This way, when they’re back at home and they’re hungry, you can direct them in saying “Well, these are some of the snacks that you’ve chosen, so let’s figure out what we can make here.”

So in the grocery store, looking at for example, labels and trying to help them identify healthy options, by for example looking at fibre. Looking that the ingredient list isn’t super long. Sticking to the perimeter of the grocery store.

Having them choose fresh options. Having them choose varieties of colours and shapes, and this is helpful too. So when they can see something that looks exciting, by purples and reds and oranges, this can make for fun, exciting snacks as well.

This tip makes them accountable for the snacks that they then have back at home.

Presenter: Ms. Sarah Blunden, Registered Dietitian, Ville Saint-Laurent, QC

Local Practitioners: Registered Dietitian