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  • Living through the uncertainties of Spina Bifida

    Written by Amanda Kern.

  • Should my family eat cantaloupe?

    On September 14, 2011, the FDA announced that Jensen Farms issued a voluntary recall of its Rocky Ford-brand cantaloupes after being linked to an outbreak of listeriosis. Although Jensen Farms is located in Colorado, their cantaloupes have been shipped to multiple states, and many reports of listeriosis have been linked to these cantaloupes. As of October 6, 2011, a total of 109 cases of listeriosis associated with these cantaloupes have been reported to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC), and 21 deaths have been reported. One pregnant woman was affected and had a miscarriage as a result of infection. Cases have been reported in 24 states, and all symptoms have been reported on or after July 31, 2011. This outbreak has been one of the largest outbreaks of listeriosis in the United States since 1989. So far, no cases of listeriosis associated with the Jensen Farms cantaloupe have been reported in the state of Florida.

  • Protecting young athletes with proper hydration

    For every person participating in athletic activities, proper hydration plays a crucial role in maintaining health and physical ability. For those of us who live in a hot, humid climate such as Central Florida, we must be vigilant to ensure that our bodies and those of our children are protected from dehydration.

  • Kids are consuming too much salt.

    When my colleagues and I decide to meet for lunch, the first thing we request is the nutrition facts for the restaurant we visit. More times than not, I am disappointed when I can’t find an entrée that had less than 1,500mg of sodium, even on the children’s menu. I usually settle for the lowest sodium option that I can put together. However, while looking around the restaurant, I can’t help but notice that some patrons still add salt to their meal, despite the higher-sodium choices.

  • Little magnets pose a huge health risk for kids

    Grownups are entitled to their toys too, right? Maybe, but what happens when a toy that is meant for adults becomes a real danger for children?

  • Thumb sucking: learning to let go

    My little friend Harper sucks her thumb. She is the cutest and sweetest 5-year-old: funny, shy and loves on my little girl like a big sister. I never thought much of it. Some kids suck their thumb; some don’t. But, I’ve come to realize that this seemingly innocent habit can become quite a challenge for many families.

  • Taking a closer look at eating disorders and disordered eating.

    This blog post was co-written by Corissa Schroeder, Registered Dietitian at Teen Xpress. 

  • Summertime snack ideas for kids

    Summer is here, which means more time spent at home (and in the kitchen), while kids are on summer break. Not only are parents’ concerned with finding ways to entertain their kids, but also with what to feed them.  And it always seems as if kids are hungrier in the summertime, as they have the freedom to “graze” all day long.

    What, when, and how much

    Snacking can be, and should be, a healthy part of any kid’s diet. But, it’s not just about what you feed your kids, it about when and how much. According to Kids Eat Right, an initiative of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that focuses on kids’ nutrition, there are several scenarios in which snacking can actually be harmful to a child’s diet: Unplanned, random snacking can lead to weight gain. This is one of the major contributing factors to the issue of childhood obesity, as kids have more access to food at all hours of the day. When kids have the freedom to snack all day, and at any time of the day, the natural instinct that lets them know when they are hungry, or full, is disrupted.However, snacks that are offered at the right time and in the right amount, can help kids achieve a healthy weight, as their bodies are continually growing and are in need of energy. Here are some guidelines for healthy snacking for kids: Most kids, and teens, need to eat every three to four hours in order to achieve a healthy, balanced diet throughout the day. For younger kids, this is equivalent to about three meals and two snacks a day. Older kids need to eat three meals and at least one snack a day. Older kids who are going through a growth spurt, or are very physically active, may need two snacks a day to make up for the additional output of energy. Consistency is key. A good rule of thumb is to offer a snack a few hours after one meal and one to two hours before the next. By doing this, kids are less likely to refuse food at mealtime, only to beg for snacks later, and will be ready for their next meal if snacking is limited beforehand. Remember, it’s not just when kids snack, but how much they are eating during snack time. This guide is a great tool for parents, as it shows healthy snack portions based on various food groups for kids.

    Snack ideas for kids

    One advantage of kids spending more time at home while on summer break is that they tend to eat healthier at home, given they are not surrounded by the endless options of junk food found in the vending machines at school. Here are some healthy snack ideas for the whole family: Ants on a log. Cut a piece of celery into segments, spread with peanut butter (or other nut butter of your choice), and top with raisins. Fruit and dip. Cut up your favorite fruit, or a variety of fruit, and serve with a small portion of Greek yogurt, mixed with cinnamon and a drop of vanilla extract. Keep in-season fruit on hand for a quick snack on the go! Summer fruits include: berries, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, grapefruit, watermelon, and peaches. For a full list of in-season produce, visit here. Veggies and dip. Cut up an array of veggies and serve with a “homemade” ranch dip. Combine a packet a dry ranch mix with Greek yogurt for more staying power, as Greek yogurt has almost 2x the amount of protein as regular yogurt. Craving chips? Think about dry-roasted edamame or soy nuts instead. You can still get the salty, crunchy goodness found in chips, with less fat and added fiber!Want more snack ideas for the whole family? Check out our Arnold Palmer Hospital “Fun Eats for Kids” Pinterest board.

  • The birthday gift that keeps on giving.

    I have a confession to make- giving money away is not something I’m good at. It certainly wasn’t something I was good at when I was a child! Oh how I anticipated that birthday card from Grandma – not because I loved Hallmark sentiments but mostly because I had already been dreaming about what I wanted to spend that check on!

  • Why I gave up eating French fries for a whole year.

    It was New Year’s Eve, 2012. My husband, son, and I were hanging out on the couch, waiting for the ball to drop. We started to talk about resolutions, which I usually don’t do. I took a deep breath and announced something that I had been thinking about for the last couple of days - my resolution for 2013. I WAS GIVING UP FRENCH FRIES. Probably not for forever, but at least for the year. This may or may not seem like an insurmountable feat to you, but I, in my mid-thirties, had never done anything like this. I had been eating (and loving) fries, on average, a few times per month (maybe more) my entire life. My husband and son looked at me like I was truly nuts. The expressions on their faces were priceless, and telling. I realized if they were that shocked by my plan, then from a health perspective, this was definitely something that I should do.