Healthy Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Foods

 

As you continue your Thanksgiving meal prep - it’s not too late to make sure you have some healthy kid-friendly options that even the pickiest of eaters will love. See below for some of our favorite (and easy) recipes, provided by parenting.com!

“Ice Cream” Mashed Potatoes
Who wouldn’t want to finish their vegetables if they looked like their favorite dessert? You’ll need sweet potatoes and red or white potatoes, plus some hot chocolate mix for the chocolate scoop.

Turkey Muffins
Let your kids build their own turkey muffin! You’ll need a pumpkin muffin, red and green apples, a grape, and some icing!

Turkey Nuggets
Are your kids a fan of chicken nuggets? Serve up some turkey suggest this Thanksgiving instead! Using a small, round cookie cutter, simply cut little medallions of turkey, then bread and broil!

Crunchy Chickpeas
For those who want a crunchy snack, choose this protein packed treat! Spread out some chickpeas on a pan, drizzle with olive oil and a little salt. Roast in the oven and enjoy!

Aside from the above, also serve some tooth-friendly foods like cheese, raw veggies, and nuts! From all of us here at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental - we hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

If you have any questions about how to improve your child's oral health please give our offices a call. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Visit our website to schedule an appointment.

 

Green Treats for St. Patrick’s Day!

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone! Irish or not, there are plenty of ways you can get into the spirit today - including eating some healthy and festive green treats. Check out our roundup below for some after school / pre dinner snacks:

Pineapple-Mango Green-a Colada Smoothie: Place 2 cups of fresh or frozen pineapple chunks and 1 to 2 cups fresh or frozen mango chunks into a blender, puree until smooth. Then add a few handfuls of fresh baby spinach, some ice, a cup or so of light coconut milk, and honey if desired. Blend until smooth and serve immediately! 

St. Patrick’s Day Healthy Fruit Skewers: As easy as it comes, grab all your child’s favorite green fruits, some wooden skewers, and green ribbon and you’ll be good to go! Full tutorial here »

Avocado Mac and Cheese: Great for busy weeknights! This recipe is super easy to make and you don’t even have to turn on the oven. All you need to do is boil your favorite pasta and get your food processor or blender ready. Full recipe here » 

Green Child and Tomatillo Corn Bread: Turn your corn bread green with chiles, tomatillos, and cilantro! To make this Tex-Mex concoction, check out the recipe over on the Tasting Table» 

Green Tea Lemonade: Healthy, tasty, and a little sweet - this refreshing beverage is sure to be a hit. You’ll need some sugar, lemons, and green tea to get this going. Full recipe here »

If you have any questions about how to improve your child's oral health please give our offices a call. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news.
 

Tips for Getting Toddlers to Eat Tooth Friendly Foods

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Have a picky eater on your hands? You’re not alone. Unfortunately, toddlers often aren’t immediately drawn to snacks that aid in oral health.

If you’re struggling to get your child to try some tooth friendly foods, give some of the below tips a try- courtesy of Colgate»

• Don’t take no for an answer. Often times, toddlers will reject new food when it is first offered. Instead of giving up, introduce healthy foods in a variety of ways to see if your fussy eater will approve. For example, some toddlers prefer raw veggies to cooked, or frozen options to canned.
• Watch the seasonings. Not everyone likes certain spices and what you like may not be your child’s preference. Introduce new foods both plain and seasoned to see what your little one enjoys most. You may find you’ll have to cook things plain only to allow each family member to season as desired.
• Supervise difficult foods. While we know crunchy vegetables and fruits are good for tiny teeth, you’ll want to make sure your toddler can handle them. Supervise them with any tough foods to prevent choking accidents and don’t be afraid to hold off on some snacks until more teeth are in place.
• Don’t forget the milk. Studies have shown that when milk is consumed alongside cavity-causing foods (sweets), it can actually help prevent bacteria from attacking teeth. Do still stick with water at bed time however as milk, formula, and juice can actually cause damage if left lingering on teeth.

These tips plus scheduled dental visits can help pave the way to a lifetime of healthy smiles. If you’re looking to schedule your child’s next dental visit, give us a call! We have offices in Nesconset, Massapequa Park, and West Islip and are always available to talk with you and address any concerns.

5 Fruits for Healthy Teeth

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Looking for tooth healthy options for your child's lunch box this school year? Or maybe you simply want better options for your own teeth! We know healthy living has always been associated with eating enough fruits and veggies, but did you know certain fruits are known to be particularly beneficial to the teeth? Find out five below!

Apples. Biting and chewing an apple helps to stimulate the production of saliva, which in turn can reduce tooth decay by lowering bacteria in the mouth! Apples also contain magic acid, a chemical used in teeth whitening products that helps dissolve stains.

Bananas. Loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, and potassium, bananas are key to a healthy mouth. Plus the inside of the banana peel can help in teeth whitening! Simply rub the inside of the peel around your teeth for about 2 minutes so the minerals can absorb into your teeth and whiten them.

Watermelon. This summer fruit is rich in Vitamin C, which greatly benefits the teeth and gums. They are also fibrous, which means they can help scrub your teeth as you chew!

Oranges. The citric acid in oranges can help control the acidity levels in your mouth - especially as it encourages salivation. Known to be a source of Vitamin C and calcium, drinking a glass of OJ daily can supplement the calcium in your diet and help build stronger teeth!

Strawberries. A natural tooth whitener that contains both an astringent and Vitamin C. The astringent naturally aids in the removal of surface stains while Vitamin C helps to clear away plaque. 

For more tooth friendly fruits and vegetables, click here!

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dentistry has three Long Island locations. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. 

Kid Friendly Super Bowl Snacks

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Whether you plan to entertain a large crowd this weekend or stay home with the kids - score big by making these kid friendly super bowl snacks! As a bonus, these won't just go over big with your little ones but teens and adults will love them as well.

• Cauliflower Buffalo Wings - Guests will never guess what these are made of! Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these cauliflower bites are a pretty solid buffalo wing experience.
• Mac n Cheese Cupcakes - Serving the beloved macaroni and cheese in cupcake form helps stop little ones from overindulging! Give your guests the perfect portion of cheesy goodness.
• Wonton Mozzarella Sticks - Make these in just about 10 minutes with only 5 ingredients. 
• Chipotle Guacamole - Don't need to stock up on guac from your nearest Chipotle, this recipe lets you make the crowd-pleasing party favorite right at home! 

For even more savory recipes, visit POPSUGAR's article here » Do you have any go to Super Bowl snacks you make each year? Share with us on our Facebook page!

No matter what your family indulges in this weekend, remember to brush and floss afterwards to ensure healthy teeth.If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s dental health, give any of our three locations a call. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.

Smart Snacking Tips and Tricks for National Nutrition Month

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We know that it’s not always easy to keep your kids from snacking on candy, chips and ice cream.  However, we are encouraging parents to help their kids snack smart this March in honor of National Nutrition Month!  A balanced diet full of nutritious foods can help keep your child’s smile healthy and beautiful.

Here are a few tips to help make healthy snacking a little easier:

• Set An Example – Kids mimic what you do.  Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables instead of sugary snacks.  Remember to set good brushing and flossing example too.
• Be Creative – Healthy snacks can be fun too.  Try a fruit smoothie or a yogurt sprinkled with granola and bananas.
• Shop Together – Ask your kids what kind of snacks they would like from the supermarket. Help them read the nutrition facts label and learn how to check the sugar content. 
• Eat Well-Balanced Meals – Healthy meals are just as important as healthy snacks.  Make sure that your kids have well-balanced lunches and dinners.

Kids don’t have to give up on dessert, but make sure that most of the food they eat is healthy and nutritious.  Try to limit sweets to once a day, rather than snacking on them throughout the day.  Choose fresh fruits, raw veggies, grains, nuts, seeds, meats, and dairy snacks that are low in sugar instead. 

Read more about smart snacks for healthy smiles by clicking here.  We also invite you to contact our office for more information or to schedule your bi-annual cleaning and exam.

 

New Year's Resolution Check In - Healthy Eating

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More often than not, one of the most common New Year's Resolutions is to get in shape / eat healthy. Not only is this good for your overall health, but eating certain foods are also beneficial for your teeth. Getting into a healthy eating habit is something you and your entire family can do to kick start the year.

As you move forward with your commitment to your family's healthy eating habits, we wanted to share some tips for success - inspired by Mommy blogger, Charity, of Foodlets:

1. Everyone (over the age of 2) Eats the Same Meal - Add a few different options to the meal and make note of each person's favorite ingredients so there's always something for everyone.
2. Add Spinach to Everything - Charity states the reason her kids eat it is because she tells them its going to be included in the meal rather than sneaking it in. Look for different ways to incorporate the good stuff into those tiny bodies. And as an added bonus, since spinach is rich in zinc and iron it makes for healthy and strong teeth.
3. Make it Fun - Make mealtimes enjoyable, offer pretty plates and bowls, special spoons, or tableware with your child's favorite characters. Try a game, make your children the critics. Have them try a small bite and let them vote thumbs up, middle, or down. If there's a thumbs down verdict just assure them it's ok and perhaps another time they can try it and see if they change their minds; planting the seed.  The more enjoyable meal time is, the better your kids will associate eating real food with pleasure.
4. Homemade is Better Than Processed - Especially when it comes to snack foods! Offer healthier options, sliced cucumbers, hummus and veggies, cheese slices. Check out our Pinterest board for some healthy snack ideas. Making something homemade is fresher, purer, and almost always healthier - and better for the teeth.
5. Offer Milk or Water With the Meal - Soda and juices are acidic and full of sugar which aids in tooth decay. Offering these two options for the whole family will make it easier for the kids once they see you drinking the same.

Encouraging healthy eating habits now can go a long way, not only for you but for your children as well. Has this been one of your resolution's for the New Year? Share your tips with us on our Facebook page!

Lunch Box Woes

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

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As we get back into the full swing of the school year, packing lunches can be a hassle in the morning. It's always easier to grab something quick and prepackaged while you try and get yourself and your household ready for the day.

Next time you go food shopping, try and avoid picking those prepackaged snacks up. Not only are they bad for your child's teeth, but they aren't too healthy in general.

Not sure what we're talking about? See below for the top 5 WORST snacks in your child's lunch, courtesy of SkinnyMom.com:

• Potato Chips - any major brand is fried in oil with added preservatives. Try making your own healthy homemade chips (like Kale or Sweet Potato) or purchasing an all natural / whole grain brand if some kind of chip is craved
• Fruit Snacks or Gummies - one of the worst snacks for your teeth, these snacks are sticky and high and sugar and easily get stuck around your teeth
• Cracker Packs - We've already explained why crackers are bad for your teeth, but again these snacks are processed with preservatives and ingredients your child doesn't need to be ingesting
• Packaged Cakes - These are deserts, not snacks and regardless they are filled with sugar, high fructose corn syrups, preservatives and dyes
• Juice Boxes - So much sugar! Encourage your child to drink water, even add some fresh fruit slices to give it more of a taste

Looking for healthier substitutes? Hummus & Vegetables, Nut Butter and Apples, Air-popped Popcorn, Fresh Fruit, Sweet Potato Chips, Cheese Slices are some options. What substitutes have you planned to make this year? Share with us on our Facebook page!

For more examples of Healthy School Lunches visit Parents.com.

School Themed Snacks For Kids!

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

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Get your kids excited to go back to school! Thanks to Pinterest, we’ve found some great School Themed snacks your kids are sure to love - and bonus, they're good for your teeth!

Have a little one at home? You’ve most likely read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. CuteFoodForKids uses Babybel cheese and green apple slices to create this snack!

After school treat to go with the homework – these pencil snacks from Spoonful use cheese sticks, bologna, mustard, Bugles, and raisins.

First day of school breakfast – apple waffles! This Super Mom combined grated apple pieces with waffle batter and red food coloring!

A cheese bus! Perfect for the child who takes the bus to and from school. Monkey See uses cheese, apples, raisins, and olives.

Do you have any of your own school themed snacks? Share your recipes and photos on our Facebook page!

Healthy Eating to Kick Start The Summer!

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com 

Memorial Day celebrates the unofficial start of summer; which means frequent trips to the ice cream truck and pool snack bar with your little ones. Problem is, most of these foods – though may be convenient, contain loads of sugar that are unhealthy for your child and their teeth!

Need some quick, simple, healthy snack ideas for your kids this summer? Try some of ours, they fit perfectly in packed lunches:

• Ants on a log – spread peanut butter on celery sticks and sprinkle them with raisins
• Cottage cheese with cut-up peaches, nectarines, pineapple, or bananas
• Canned salmon mixed with low-fat mayo and spread on baked whole-grain crackers or celery stalks
• Make your own pizza lunchables – use a multigrain sandwich thin, turkey pepperoni, pizza sauce, and shredded low fat cheese

And, as the temperature heats up – try dipping a banana in yogurt, rolling in crushed cereal, and freezing it for a tasty frozen treat!

To read more on proper nutrition for your child, please visit: http://goo.gl/DiQUh 

If you're looking for a pediatric dentist for your children, check us out on the web or on our Facebook page.