Have Your Say! Vote for the Winning Entry in the Sun-Rype Contest

Voting Is Closed - Winner to be announced soon!

In a recent urbanmoms.ca poll the majority of moms identified fruits and vegetables as their top snack choice for their kids but the kids chose candy as their #1!

We asked urbanmoms.ca readers & members to tell us how they get your kids eating healthy by sending us their creative solutions for healthy snacking and lunchbox ideas.

We got an amazing response: moms sure are a resourceful group when it comes to encouraging healthy eating habits in our children, and we were thrilled by all the great ideas!  Many moms are using similar approaches with great ideas such as:

• disguising fruits and veggies by pureeing and adding to sauces or grating and including in baking;
• setting a healthy example by eating fruits and vegetables ourselves;
• serving only 100% fruit juices and fruit snacks with no added sugar;
• having our kids help select produce and learning about different fruits & vegetables and the four food groups;
• offering dips with fruits & vegetables;
• making themed snacks with shapes or funny names; and
• making smoothies from 100% fruit.

Our top five picks from among this outstanding field of responses is below. Please read through them (be sure to print any recipes you want to try yourself) and vote on which idea you think should win a Sun-Rype sponsored party in the author’s community! (The party will be held at a location in the winner’s community in the spring of 2007 and will include activities, snacks and fun for both parents and kids; all sponsored by Sun-Rype – the brand that brings you the Real Fruit Goodness of 100% fruit snacks and 100% juices with no added sugar).

1. APPLE BREAKFAST BARS by Michelle:
A snack time and/or lunchtime addition...tried and tested on several toddlers between the ages of 18 mos and 3 years old and has always been a BIG hit!

1/2 cup dried apples, diced
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup raisins
1 tbsp packed brown sugar
1/3 cup natural peanut butter
1/4 cup applesauce
1 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1/3 cup toasted wheat germ
1/4 cup roasted sunflower seeds
2 cups bran flakes (I would use organic corn flakes or something similar)

INSTRUCTIONS:
In a medium saucepan, combine apples, honey, raisins and brown sugar. Heat and stir until mixture boils, then reduce heat slightly. Cook uncovered for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter until melted. Blend in applesauce, butter and cinnamon. Stir in oats, nuts, wheat germ and sunflower seeds until well combined. Add the flakes and stir. Press the mixture very firmly (or bars will crumble) and evenly into an eight-inch deep square pan, two inches deep. Chill to set, and then cut into eighths.

Makes eight adult size bars.

Nutrients per bar:
275 calories, 8 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 38 g carbohydrates, 9 g protein, 8 g fibre.

2. JUICE SPRITZERS by Heidi
We don't drink soda in our home - but for special treats, the kids make "juice spritzers" using 100% juice and sparkling water in a clear glass, often with a fruit garnish.  They feel so grown-up, and I feel happy knowing they are getting a healthy alternative.

3. HEALTHY CHOICES AFTER SCHOOL by Carina
I have 3 kids all elementary school age.  They are hungry when they get home from school each day.  They are offered fruit, veggies or yogurt or to wait to eat dinner.  I do not worry that they are going to eat a bit less at dinner if their after school snacks are healthy.  They choose a healthy snack without complaint because they are allowed to have a snack and allowed to choose from several healthy choices.

4. SEEING IS BELIEVING by Rachel
I find that "out of sight is out of mind" when it comes to healthy snacks. Fruits and veggies that are buried in the crisper drawer just don't get eaten. So, I make sure there are cut-up fruits and veggies and other healthy snacks in see-through containers right at the front of the fridge. So when the kids (and adults!) are looking for a quick snack, the easy choice is also a healthy choice.

5. FROZEN TREATS by Ellie
Here's one that is so simple and the kids LOVE it.  It's especially great in the summer, but works all year round. I wash seedless grapes (both red & green for colour), de-stem them and freeze them.  They make a great low-fat snack as they don't even feel like you're eating a piece of fruit, rather that you're popping a freezy.  (I've tried with other fruit, but grapes seem to be the magic fruit)

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