#WellnessWednesday - National Nutrition Month

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Preparing healthy foods for a large family can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to break the bank. Help your family bite into a healthy lifestyle during National Nutrition Month! Save time, money and stress by following the below tips from ChooseMyPlate: 

Keep it simple: Don't worry about making things complicated. Healthy and creative meals can be simple - saving you money and stress.

Enlist little helpers: Divide jobs among family remembers - remember kids love being in the kitchen! With their help you can get more done and have more time to enjoy with your family.

Enjoy yourself - Feel yourself becoming stressed? Take a step back and remember to have fun and enjoy the company of those closest to you.

Holiday options - Consider your menu options around the holidays (Passover and Easter are around the corner after all). Choosing to serve brunch can save on food costs as eggs are less expensive and make a great protein for the main dish. For another fun idea opt to offer a yogurt parfait bar where everyone cam add their desired toppings to their yogurt.

Make it a potluck - Great option for large family gatherings - prepare a side dish and ask each family member to make the rest! Now there's less work on you and everyone can enjoy trying each other's creations.

Just as a balanced diet is good for our waistline - it's just as necessary for a healthy smile. We encourage you to also work some of these smile friendly options into family meals as well!

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.

Smile Saving Snacks

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

We have a nice weekend ahead of us! Whether you are planning a trip to the beach, have your child’s sport game to attend, or are staying home for a play date, make sure your kids’ bellies are well prepared. Select some filling, healthy snacks that also help their oral health! These smile saver foods actually strengthen kids’ teeth:

Oranges, kiwis, strawberries, limes, peppers - The vitamin C found in these foods help kill bacteria that can be found in your child’s mouth. But, be sure they wait at least 30 minutes before brushing after consuming any citrus foods or drinks as the citric acid can temporarily weaken tooth enamel and leave teeth vulnerable to erosion caused by brushing.

Milk, yogurt, and cheese - These foods are rich in calcium, vitamin D, and phosphate - which raise the pH level in the mouth, lowers acid levels, and reduces the risk of tooth decay. Calcium also helps to repair damaged enamel, strengthen bones around your child’s teeth, and makes them more resistant to gum disease later in life!

Raw carrots, celery, cauliflower, green beans, and snap peas - These foods naturally scrape away plaque that can build up between meals or that may be missed when brushing. Have your child eat these crisp veggies slowly and to completely chew each serving to get the full benefit!

Sesame, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds, and nuts - Oils in the seeds help to strengthen enamel, making them more resistant to cavities. As an added bonus, most seeds also contain calcium! Children over 4 can eat these seeds and nuts as a healthy snack!

Have any other tooth-friendly treats your kids love? Head to our Facebook page and share your ideas! And don't forget to take your kid's selfie for our #SelfieOfSummer contest!!

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.

photo credit: sAM_68 via photopin cc