Ahealthy lifestyle requires people to make sure they're not eating too much sugar. Sugar can cause tooth decay, but an even bigger problem is that sugary foods are "empty calories." When you fill up on these foods, you miss out on the opportunity to eat healthy foods. For example, if you eat a 2-ounce candy bar instead of a healthy snack like an apple, you'll have consumed about 250 calories, but you won't have gotten any of the vitamins, minerals, and fiber that the apple brings you in just 120 calories. When you drink soda pop
instead of milk, you miss the opportunity to consume calcium, needed for healthy bones and teeth. And did you know that a typical serving of soda, a
12-ounce can, has - yikes! - 10
teaspoons of sugar?
Here are some tips to cut down your sugar intake:
* Look at product labels to
determine how much sugar is in the foods you eat. Some
products, such as fruit snacks, juice, and yogurt may surprise you with the amount of sugar they contain.
* Drink water instead of fruit drinks or soda pop.
* When you eat in restaurants, order milk, water, or unsweetened tea. If you do order soda pop, choose a small size.
* Eat fruit for dessert
instead of cakes or cookies - at least sometimes.
* Choose low-sugar cereals. If you do eat a high-sugar cereal, mix in some low-sugar cereal to cut down on the sugar in your bowl. Some sweetened cereals have up to one-third of your recommended daily allowance of sugar.
Debate: Junk Food in Schools
Many schools have vending machines that contain unhealthy foods such as soda pop,
cookies, and candy. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Which side are you on? Can you think of a way for the two sides to compromise?
For: Vending machines in schools help to raise money for the schools. Money from the vending machines may be used for programs like field trips, music, sports, or computers. Companies will often pay the school to put a vending machine in a hallway or cafeteria, and will sometimes provide other incentives. For example, some companies will pay for schools to put up sports
scoreboards that advertise their products.
Against: Vending machines in schools encourage unhealthy eating habits among students. Some students may choose unhealthy snacks from the vending machines instead of bringing healthy snacks from home. Other students may even use their lunch money for candy or cookies instead of buying healthy lunches in the school cafeteria. Schools should promote healthy diets by not providing junk food.
Entertain Your Brain
Can you figure out these
food riddles? (Hint: They're a little CORN-Y, maybe even
CHEESE-Y) See Answers Below.
Q1. What kind of fruit always has a buddy?
Q2. How did the magician knock over a full glass without spilling any water?
Q. What food has eyes but no ears?
Q3. What food has ears but no eyes?
Q4. How do you make beef chili?
Write a food riddle of your own. Bet yours is even funnier than these.
Credits: This Hot Topics supplement has: Content by Abby and Zach Horn
Illustrations by Zach Horn
NIE activities by Debby Carroll
Editing by Ken Bookman
Design by Gilbert & Associates
Copyright 2005 Hot Topics Publications Inc.
Answers to Entertain Your Brain
Q1: Pears
Q2: It was filled with milk
Q3: Potatoes
Q4: Corn
Q5: Put it in the freezer
Copyright 2007 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.