You come home from school and you're starving! You need to eat something now and fast. It's easy to reach for a candy bar. In fact some kids stop at the corner shop on the way home from school and buy some chips and a soda. But candy, sodas and chips are junk food. They do nothing to help a kid's brain or body function well. A study in the journal “Health Affairs,” found that snacks count for almost one-third of the calories that many kids eat. Since junk snacks have few vitamins or minerals to help kids stay healthy and grow, sucking down daily sodas and crunching through bags of chips isn't smart. Even worse, the US National Institutes of Child Health report that almost 90 percent of girls and more than 80 percent of boys ages nine to 13 don't take in enough calcium in the foods they eat. Calcium is one of the minerals used to form bones. About 30 percent of all mineral deposited in our bones throughout life occurs during the teenage years as part of a big growth spurt that starts by age 10 for girls and by age 12 for boys. The more calcium and minerals deposited in bones during childhood and teenage years, the stronger the bones we develop will be. Those bones support our bodies for life. Kids need to take charge of their own health and that means eating well. Kids can go to the supermarket to make food choices and they can cook, too. Cooking is fun and powerful foods can be created in the kitchen that can give kids the vitamins and minerals they need to grow up - not out. Gino Campagna is a master chef living in Los Angeles. He has dedicated his life to teaching young people how to make great food. He has whipped up tasty milk-based after-school snack recipes at www.gotmilk.com. It's fun to bake his Veggie Pizzaz, seen here. Make the dough, sauce and toppings. Or try the Red Velvet Frappe. Also download the “Kitchen Kids” brochure from www.eatwisconsincheese.com/recipes/kidskitchen.aspx. This is an easy-to-use recipe and tip-sharing booklet for young cooks. It features 12 innovative recipes and photos, everything from “Get-Stuffed French Toast,” to “Jelly Jewel Cookies.” If you like Indian food then try these milk-based recipes at http://allrecipes.co.in/recipes/milk-recipes.aspx. Or make Kids Chai Tea using directions from http://www.momtastic.com/food/113238-hot-spiced-milk-a-kids-chai-tea/ Whenever you do cook with milk, yoghurt or cheese, look for low fat versions. Low fat milk has more calcium and less fat calories than full fat milk - so it's better for health. And please ask your mom before you take over her kitchen. She'll surely be delighted to help you have a cheftastic experience!
