ArcaMax

When I was in grade school my brother and I would walk home together each day. When we got home from school we’d drop our books on the dining room table and have a snack.

Most of the time, I’d do my snacking in the kitchen. I’d go to the pantry and pick up a donut or a pastry my mother had gotten at the bakery. I’d wash that down with a big glass of milk while I watched TV. I liked to watch Julia Child whip up a dish. Sometimes I’d watch Graham Kerr (another famous chef) cook a meal. Little did I know that my interest in cooking would carry on and become such an important part of my life as an adult. My brother had different tastes. He would grab a bag of potato chips and a 16 ounce Pepsi and he’d go off to the den and watch his favorite show.

After that, we went outside to play with friends until dinner.

I never really worried about my weight until boys came into the picture. At 12 years old I became obsessed with diet and food. It didn’t stop me from eating donuts, though. My tactic overall was to eat less and less. The education at the time all revolved around counting calories. I became really good at that. I bought one of those pocket calorie books they had by the cash register at the grocery store. I memorized it.

Now I know better. My calorie counting was a waste of time. What I needed was a low-carb way of eating. I needed healthy options, and I needed to eat the right stuff.

So now when I think of what kids could be eating after school, potato chips and donuts assuredly do not hit the list.

I am going to give you a few ideas for breakfast, lunch and after-school snacks that your kids will love. Keep the carbohydrates down and your kids will be healthier, they’ll be able to concentrate better and won’t fidget as much. Try it. Your kids deserve tasty, healthy food and their teachers will certainly appreciate the change....

Read the full column at PlanZDiet.com

Related Recipes at PlanZDiet.com:

Strawberry Smoosh
Pumpkin Pancakes with Spiced Whipped Cream

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