If you have nutrition questions, I’d love to hear from you. Email your questions to askjan@myappetiteforlife.com and I’ll post the question and answer on this site.
 

What should I look for in a granola bar?

Granola bars can be a great snack in between meals or they can lead to a sugar high. Most granola bars are full of added sugar and very little protein or fiber, so it is extremely important to pay close attention to the food label when making your selection.
FAT: Look for granola bars with less than 2 grams of saturated fat. Some bars may be higher in fat than their sugary competition but as long as the fat is from mono and polyunsaturated sources then they can be considered a healthier choice. These fats can help reduce the risk for heart disease and help increase your HDL (good) cholesterol.
PROTEIN: Protein is important to keep you feeling full longer and to help repair torn muscles after a workout. Look for bars with at least 6 grams of protein per bar.
FIBER: Look for bars with at least 3 grams of fiber to aid in keeping you full and satisfied.
CARBOHYDRATE: What is the recommended amount per bar?
There are a wide range of granola bars in the grocery store and comparing the bars will help you to best decide which flavor and calorie level best suits you.

How do I get my kids to eat more fruits and vegetables?

 You are one of the greatest influences over what your children eat every day; so take advantage of this. Have fresh fruits and vegetables already cut up and ready to eat. Instead of having a large bag of carrots in the crisper place a few snack size bags of carrots on the shelves of the refrigerator at their eye level. Keep offering your children vegetables even if they don’t eat them. Do not battle your children over eating their vegetables because it can easily become a power struggle. Make sure all of the adults in your family are good role models. If your child sees everyone else eating fruits and vegetables throughout the day then they will be more likely to mimic those habits. Take time to explain to your child why fruits and vegetables are good for them. Get them involved in choosing the fruits and vegetables at the grocery store.

Are sugar-free foods a better choice for diabetics?

Some foods claim to be sugar-free but still contain other carbohydrates that can still affect a diabetic’s blood sugar level. Sugar-free beverages, gelatins, popsicles, hard candies and gum are some of the few foods that will not affect a person’s blood sugar. These can be a sweet addition to a diabetic diet if the are eaten in moderation. However, sugar-free cookies, cakes, pies, and ice cream can still contain carbohydrate, such as flour and fruit, and may adversely affect someone’s blood sugar level. Always look at the food label for its total carbohydrate content. Also, the fat content in these foods may be higher than in the original version of the same food. Reading the entire food label will be your best indicator of which foods are a better choice for you.