Health Net Urges Parents to Start Children's Healthy Eating Habits While They're Young

Business Wirevia The Motley Fool
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Health Net Urges Parents to Start Children's Healthy Eating Habits While They're Young

March is National Nutrition Month®


LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- March is National Nutrition Month®, and Health Net, Inc. (NYS: HNT) is seeking to increase awareness - particularly among parents - regarding the importance of providing children with nutrient-rich foods and beverages.

"Nutrients - including protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals - are high on the list of the building blocks for proper growth," says Jonathan Scheff, M.D., chief medical officer for Health Net, Inc. "Because children's bodies and minds are still developing, it's especially critical that they consistently consume high-quality nutrients. That way they'll have less room for - and may be less tempted by - nutrient-poor choices such as candy and soda. Plus, if children start out on a healthy path early in life, they're more likely to become nutrition-conscious adults."

It was with this goal in mind, Scheff noted, that Health Net created its Healthy Kids program, through which parents can access tools and resources to help family members embrace healthy-eating habits and regular exercise.

Health Net members also can enroll in a Healthy Living program that includes personalized meal plans, healthy recipes and strategies to make smart choices when dining out.

Another program, Fit Families for Life, is for Health Net Medi-Cal members and offers home-based and telephonic coaching programs, a workbook, cookbook and a DVD featuring a host of nutrition tips along with low-impact exercises.

Nutrient-Smart Tips

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - which has sponsored National Nutrition Month for 40 years - offers the following practical tips to add nutrient-rich foods and beverages to your daily diet:

  • Make creamier oatmeal by adding fat-free milk instead of water. For added nutrients, mix in raisins, dried cranberries, cherries or blueberries.

  • Prepare sandwiches on whole-grain bread, such as whole wheat or whole rye. To the lean lunch meat of your choice, add slices of avocado, tomato or cucumber.

  • Opt for whole-wheat macaroni and cheese, as this is a great way to enjoy a whole-grain food with a serving of dairy.

  • Look for nutrient-rich restaurant choices such as entrée salads with grilled seafood and low-calorie dressing, baked potatoes topped with salsa, grilled vegetables, reduced-fat cheese and yogurt parfaits made with fresh strawberries and blueberries.

  • Choose nutrient-rich beverages, such as low-fat or fat-free milk (either plain or flavored) or 100-percent fruit juice.

  • Top foods with chopped nuts or reduced-fat shredded sharp cheese to get crunch, flavor and nutrients from the first bite.

  • Spend a few minutes to cut and bag vegetables so they are in easy reach of every family member. Ready-to-eat favorites include: red, green or yellow peppers; broccoli or cauliflower flowerets; carrots; celery sticks; cucumbers; snap peas and whole radishes. Keep cut vegetables handy for mid-afternoon snacks, side dishes, lunch-box additions, or a quick nibble while waiting for dinner.

  • Serve meals that pack multiple nutrient-rich foods into one dish, like hearty, broth-based soups that are full of colorful vegetables, beans and lean meat. Make chili with a dollop of low-fat yogurt, and accompany with whole-grain breads or rolls.

  • Enjoy a tropical treat by blending mango, plain low-fat milk, ice and a splash of pineapple juice. For another dessert option, stir chocolate syrup into a cup of coffee-flavored yogurt, freeze and enjoy.

Medical Advice Disclaimer

The information provided is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for professional medical care. Always seek the advice of your physician or other health provider for any questions you may have regarding your medical condition and follow your health care provider's instructions.

About Health Net

Health Net, Inc. is a publicly traded managed care organization that delivers managed health care services through health plans and government-sponsored managed care plans. Its mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. Health Net provides and administers health benefits to approximately 5.4 million individuals across the country through group, individual, Medicare (including the Medicare prescription drug benefit commonly referred to as "Part D"), Medicaid, Department of Defense, including TRICARE, and Veterans Affairs programs. Through its subsidiaries, Health Net also offers behavioral health, substance abuse and employee assistance programs, managed health care products related to prescription drugs, managed health care product coordination for multi-region employers, and administrative services for medical groups and self-funded benefits programs. For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit Health Net's website at www.healthnet.com.

This release contains links to other sites that are not owned or controlled by Health Net. Please be aware that Health Net is not responsible for the contents linked or referred to from this release. Links to other websites are provided for the user's convenience. Health Net does not express an opinion on the content or the properties of such linked websites and disclaims any liability in connection therewith.



Health Net, Inc.
Lori Rieger, 602-794-1415
lori.rieger@healthnet.com
www.twitter.com/hnlori

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