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SALT LAKE CITY — As the picnic and BBQ season approaches, many of us are already have plans for an outdoor gathering. At a traditional BBQ or picnic you may find hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad and chips.
Besides their poor nutritional value, these foods have something else in common, their lack of color. Think back to that plate. The bread, the potato salad, the chips … all bland in color, a trait that’s common with highly processed foods. The colors we do see in those unhealthy foods are artificial. In addition to the artificial color, there’s added sugar, added salt and unhealthy fats.
Robin Aufdenkampe, a registered dietitian at Primary Children’s Hospital, says those unhealthy foods affect our kids.
“One of the things that happens when they fill up on processed foods or refined foods is in about an hour and a half they are going to be hungry again,” said Aufdenkampe.
Those empty calories and high amounts of sugar affects our mood. “They’re not going to be energized," she said. "They’re not going to be able to do all of the things and maintain their energy level."
The secret to making the next picnic healthier is color. “It should be a rainbow of color on your plate," she said.
Try substituting crunchy things like potato chips with a more healthy option like pita chips or baby carrots. To satisfy the sweet tooth, cut up fresh fruit or consider making a frozen yogurt treat. It can be easily prepared ahead of time and put into a cooler.
When packing drinks, avoid the sugary beverages and instead pack milk or water then add a little flavor for a some personality.
If there's a picky eater in your group remember consistency is key. Aufdenkampe said, "It usually takes about 10-15 introductions to a food before a child finds it palatable, so as long as they see you eating it and you keep offering it repeatedly, eventually they will learn to like it.” Jenniffer is a Special Projects Producer who heads up the Your Life Your Health, Zero Fatalities and High 5 initiatives. For questions, feedback or possible story ideas, please email jmichaelson@ksl.com.
