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iVillage.com: The 14 Worst Kids' Foods: Are They in Your Kitchen?

Granola Bars

Granola bars might seem like the ultimate health food, but the truth is many varieties contain ingredients that make them more like a sugary dessert than a nutritional treat. They key is to check labels: Look for bars that contain at least two grams or fiber and less than ten grams of sugar, like Kashi Cereal Bars-Ripe Strawberry (3 grams of fiber; 5 grams sugar) or Cascadian Farms Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip (3 grams of fiber; 6 grams of sugar). Also look for bars that have little-to-no saturated fat and no high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners. You can even try making your own bars at home -- check out this recipe.

(CREDIT: MAREN CARUSO/PHOTODISC/GETTY IMAGES)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

iVillage

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

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The 14 Worst Kids' Foods

The 14 Worst Kid...

When it comes to what your kids eat, moderation is key if you want them to develop healthy eating habits. But while there's nothing wrong with a slice of birthday cake or ice cream for a special dessert, there are so many common kids' foods that are packed with fat, sodium, sugar and other not-good-for-you ingredients. Here's how to recognize the worst ones -- and make healthier choices.

Deli Meats
Not only are hot dogs loaded with fat, sodium and nitrates (which have been linked to cancer), they can also be choking hazards for young children if you don't cut them into small pieces, says Jennifer Shu, M.D., editor of HealthyChildren.org and coauthor of Food Fights: Winning the Nutritional Challenges of Parenthood Armed with Insight, Humor and a Bottle of Ketchup. What's more, a study in the journal Circulation found that processed red meat, such as hot dogs or bologna, can increase the risk for heart disease and diabetes, while a report from the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund found that eating processed meat (as well as red meat) may increase colon cancer risk. Stick with preservative-free turkey or chicken dogs instead of beef hot dogs. And if you buy deli meats, opt for low-sodium, organic varieties made without added nitrates -- or, even better, try to choose fresh turkey or chicken deli meats that are cut from the bone.

(CREDIT: OJO IMAGES/P. BRADBURY/WORKBOOK STOCK/GETTY IMAGES)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

iVillage

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

"Don't let the word 'fruit' fool you -- fruit gummies, leather and the like are so packed with sugar they're actually more like candy, even the ones that are fortified with vitamin C," says Karen Ansel, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association and author of The Baby and Toddler Cookbook: Fresh, Homemade Foods for a Healthy Start. "Plus, they stick to kids' teeth so they can be a recipe for cavities." So while these products are fine to dole out as an occasional dessert or treat, if you're looking for a fruit snack, you're better off with dried fruit like cranberries or (even better) fresh fruit, like grapes or cut melon.

(CREDIT: HUW JONES/TAXI/GETTY IMAGES)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

iVillage

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

It's no surprise that kids eat more French fries than any other vegetable. However, the trouble is that fries contain lots of fat and calories, and it's way too easy to gobble down extra servings of them. "That may not seem like a problem today, but what your child eats now is likely what they are going to be eating for the rest of their lives," explains Ansel. "Helping them develop a taste for other vegetables will ensure they don't have a weight problem -- and the health risks that come with it -- in adulthood." A healthier choice: Try baking your own fries at home or offer sweet potato fries -- they're packed with fiber, vitamin C and potassium.

(CREDIT: MICHAEL WERNER/STOCKFOOD CREATIVE/GETTY IMAGES)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

iVillage

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Don't be fooled by the sugar-cereal boxes boasting that they contain loads of vitamins and minerals. Ansel likens those cereals to "eating cookies and chasing them down with a vitamin pill." In fact, Consumer Reports rated only four out of the top 27 kids' cereals as "Very Good" -- Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Kix and Life were singled out for having low sugar and higher fiber. The rest received lower ratings based on their lack of fiber or their excessive amount of sugar. To make a healthier pick, look for cereals that contain less than 10 grams of sugar and at least 3 grams of fiber. And check the adult shelves, too -- you might be surprised that your child actually doesn't need a cereal bowl filled with multi-colored marshmallows or chocolate to love it.

(CREDIT: RUBBERBALL/MIKE KEMP/GETTY IMAGES)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

iVillage

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Sweetened Drinks

Sweetened Drinks

You probably know that soda is a big no-no for kids -- drinking it can increase their odds of being overweight and developing type-2 diabetes, in addition to causing cavities. But fruit drinks can be just as bad as soda, says Ansel: "If they're not made from 100-percent juice, they're the nutritional equivalent of soda without the bubbles." So if you're going to serve juice, check the label to see that it's 100-percent juice and limit your child's intake (watering it down can help). The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids ages 1 to 6 do not consume more than 4 to 6 ounces per day and kids ages 7 to 18 limit their intake to 8 to 12 ounces per day. And keep in mind that the healthiest drinks for kids are milk and water.

(CREDIT: IMAGE SOURCE/GETTY IMAGES)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

iVillage

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Granola bars might seem like the ultimate health food, but the truth is many varieties contain ingredients that make them more like a sugary dessert than a nutritional treat. They key is to check labels: Look for bars that contain at least two grams or fiber and less than ten grams of sugar, like Kashi Cereal Bars-Ripe Strawberry (3 grams of fiber; 5 grams sugar) or Cascadian Farms Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip (3 grams of fiber; 6 grams of sugar). Also look for bars that have little-to-no saturated fat and no high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners. You can even try making your own bars at home -- check out this recipe.

(CREDIT: MAREN CARUSO/PHOTODISC/GETTY IMAGES)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

iVillage

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Restaurant Kiddie Meals

Restaurant Kiddi...

You'd be shocked at the nutritional info behind common kids meals at certain restaurants: Some contain as many calories as a young child should consume in one day. Plus, the options liked grilled cheese and fried chicken fingers are usually loaded with a scary amount of saturated fat and sodium. Another part of the problem, says Dr. Shu, is that kids' meals are often "one size fits all." So whether you have a tiny toddler or a tween, the portion size is the same. The key is creativity: Consider splitting a healthy adult-size main course among two or three kids or consider ordering your child an appetizer instead. And speak up: Ask if a sandwich can be prepared with wheat bread instead of white or if French fries can be replaced with a healthier side.

(CREDIT: JEFF SARPA/STOCKFOOD CREATIVE/GETTY IMAGES)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

iVillage

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Of course, vegetables top the list of healthy foods, but don't assume veggie chips (or sticks or puffs) contain the same health benefits. These snacks may be made from vegetables but they're so highly processed and full of fat, that they lose all the nutrition of real vegetables, says Ansel. However, that doesn't mean you should stock up on fried potato chips instead. Your best bet is to offer your kids freshly cut veggies like baby carrots or broccoli with fun dips such as hummus or guacamole. Save the chips -- whether they're made from potatoes or other veggies -- for special treats.

(CREDIT: CRYSTAL CARTIER PHOTOGRAPHY/FOODPIX/GETTY IMAGES)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

iVillage

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

"If you're the parent of an infant, avoid giving your child honey until she is at least a year old," says Dr. Shu. Honey can contain spores that, when consumed, can cause botulism, with symptoms including dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, paralysis, breathing problems or even death. "Infants have immune systems that are relatively weak and immature, so they're at the highest risk for botulism if they consume honey," explains Dr. Shu. To be on the safe side, some doctors also recommend that babies avoid any products that contain honey, like honey graham crackers -- since processing may not kill botulism spores.

(CREDIT: JAMES ROSS/DIGITAL VISION/GETTY IMAGES)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

iVillage

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Whether it's a vitamin-enhanced water or an electrolyte drink, sports drinks aren't a great option for kids. Not only do they often contain 100 or more calories per bottle, experts say that drinking such sweet beverages can mean that kids become used to the taste and stop drinking water because it tastes too bland in comparison. Experts advise avoiding these drinks unless your child is exercising in the heat and sweating heavily. Try offering chocolate milk instead -- studies have found it provides just the right ratio of protein and carbs to help repair muscle.

(CREDIT: TONY CORDOZA/PHOTOGRAPHER'S CHOICE RF/GETTY IMAGES)

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Yogurt is a terrific food loaded with protein and calcium. But many of the kid's varieties (you know, the ones with cute animals and popular cartoon characters on the carton), can be loaded with artificial colors and as much as 25 grams of sugar per serving. The healthiest option: Buy plain lowfat (or nonfat) regular or Greek yogurt and sweeten it with fresh or frozen fruit or 1-1/2 teaspoons of honey (if your child is over age 1). If your kid will only eat the flavored yogurt, then think of it more as a dessert than a healthy snack.

(CREDIT: DORLING KINDERSLEY/GETTY IMAGES)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Packaged Noodles

Packaged Noodles

Mac 'n Cheese or ramen noodles may not seem that unhealthy (come one, they're just noodles!), but many are actually relatively nutrient-free and packed with fat and high amounts of sodium. Children ages 2 to 3 should have no more than 1,000 milligrams of sodium per day, while kids up to age 8 shouldn't exceed 1,200 mgs per day. Yet just a one-cup serving of your average box of macaroni and cheese (and most kids eat more than that) has over 500 grams of sodium -- more than half of a child's recommended limit. A better option is to make these dishes on your own with noodles, milk, butter and cheese instead of a packaged mix.

(CREDIT: RITA MAAS/THE IMAGE BANK/GETTY IMAGES)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

iVillage

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

"We don't register calories that we drink nearly as well as those we eat, so it's easy to guzzle down hundreds of calories in one shot without even realizing it," says Ansel. For instance, a 12-ounce fast food strawberry shake can pack 560 calories, which is more than most kids need in an entire meal. So pay attention to ingredients and portion size: Choose or make smoothies with fresh or frozen fruit with ice or plain yogurt -- and serve it in a small (8-ounce) cup. Even when smoothies are made with healthy foods, it's easy for kids to drink too many calories without realizing it, which can contribute to weight gain in the long run.

Find 16 things you're doing that could be making your kids fat.

(CREDIT: GARETH MORGANS/STOCKFOOD CREATIVE/GETTY IMAGES)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

iVillage

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Cheese is an excellent source of calcium and protein and it's oh so delicious, but watch your child's portion sizes. Just one slice of cheese can contain over 100 calories and 10 grams of fat, so having more than that for a snack on a regular basis -- never mind smothering your child's veggies or pasta in it -- can add up quickly. The daily recommended amount for dairy is 2 cups for a child ages 2 to 3 and 2-1/2 cups for a child ages 4 to 8. Just 1-1/2 ounces of cheese counts as 1 cup of the recommended amount of dairy -- that's the size of a your index and middle finger. Try to buy lowfat cheese and keep an eye on portion size. If your child is tipping the scales too high, limiting cheese can be a way to keep fat grams in check. As with so many aspects of your kid's diet, moderation is key.

(CREDIT: IMAGE SOURCE/GETTY IMAGES)

The Full Story from iVillage.com

iVillage

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

40 Must-See Plac... Want an amazing family vacation? Plan a trip to one of these 40 must-see destinations. Get there while your little ones are still little (or at least before they're out of the nest altogether!)

(Credit: PANORAMIC IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES)

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