- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- recipes today articles
- recipes today q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
News About Nutrition
9 Recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
By Melissa Granberry
The Committee's report offers this insight on controlling calories: "The healthiest way to reduce calorie intake is to reduce one's intake of added sugars, solid fats and alcohol – they all provide calories, but they do not provide essential nutrients."
Portion size also matters. "A child's serving is half a cup to a cup," says Ostrowski. "As an example, a small apple is one serving; a large apple is really two servings."
|
How much is enough exercise? The Committee's recommendation calls for adults to spend at least 30 minutes a day doing moderate physical activity, and up to 90 minutes to lose weight and keep it off. Children require 60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity.
To keep children active for an hour, Ostrowski suggests turning off the TV. "Children should have no more than two hours of screen time a day," she says, which includes playing on the computer, Game Boy, PlayStation and watching television.
Make activities fun and family oriented, so both children and adults can get their exercise while spending quality time together. "Everyone can go for a walk after dinner or kick the soccer ball in the yard," Ostrowski says. "Let your kids participate in yard work, such as raking leaves or weeding the garden." If it's dark or raining outside, try turning on the music and dancing!