Have you found yourself snacking so much more during this self-quarantine? I know I have. We all know that we should be eating healthy, but those chips are so tempting and easy to grab.
Foods high in sugar or acid, can promote erosion of tooth enamel and contribute to tooth decay and periodontal disease. Both have been identified as a risk factors for more serious illnesses such as diabetes, lung and heart diseases, and stroke. Nutritious food, low in sugar, is good for both oral and overall health.
Here’s a tip I learned years ago from a Mom who actually managed to get her kids to eat healthy snacks.
Just make it available and easy to grab at all times.
As we sat in the kitchen chatting, her kids would run past us in and out of the back yard. Often, they would stop briefly to grab a few pieces of carrot, celery or cheese from the plate on the table before rushing off again. I marveled, asking how she got them to eat healthy snacks. She said that she just made sure that they were always available on the table. It was easier for them to just grab what was there so they didn’t have to stop what they were doing. Now, I appreciate that some kids are picky eaters, but even as adults we often just go with what’s easy at the moment, like that bag of chips.
So how can we help ourselves to make healthier choices? Prepare those snacks in advance for the next few days. When you’re getting dinner ready, grab those veggies and chop them up into snack size pieces to store in a container with some water to keep them fresh. Keep a plate of fruit and berries or even a bowl of veggies in a little water on the table so they are always within reach.
Other helpful options are sugar-free gum and rinsing your mouth out after snacking.
Did you know that there is a completely new Canada Food Guide? For more ideas of healthy choices check it out at: https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/
Contributed by Hana, one of your hygienists at Atlantis Dental Roundhouse