by kelsey | Aug 1, 2017 | Diet, Family, Food, Weight Management, Wellness/Health

If you’re a parent with school age children, you have probably witnessed this scenario many times: your child comes home from school or an activity and they are starving! They rummage through the cupboards and try to find something “good” to snack on until supper is ready. Snacks in between meals help provide the body with energy and aid in metabolism and blood sugar control, but the key is making a healthy snack as junk foods will only provide empty calories, leaving you hungry and looking for more later on.
Below are some healthy snacks for kids. This is just a glimpse of what we discuss in our STRIVE Kids program. We invite you to contact us today to learn more!
Healthy Snacks for Kids
Inside-Out Sandwich: Spread mustard on a slice of deli turkey. Wrap around a sesame breadstick.
Rocky Road: Break a graham cracker into bite-size pieces. Add to low-fat chocolate pudding along with a few miniature marshmallows.
Mini Pizza: Toast a whole-wheat English muffin, drizzle with pizza sauce and sprinkle with low-fat mozzarella cheese.
Spread mustard on a flour tortilla. Top with a slice of turkey or ham, low-fat cheese and lettuce. Then roll it up.
Sandwich Cut-Outs: Make a sandwich on whole grain bread. Cut out your favorite shape using a big cookie cutter. Eat the fun shape and the edges, too!
Banana Split: Top a banana with low-fat vanilla and strawberry frozen yogurt. Sprinkle with your favorite whole-grain cereal.
Apple Pie Oatmeal: Make one packet of microwave oatmeal with low-fat milk. Mix in 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce. Sprinkle with apple pie spice or cinnamon.
Mix together peanut butter and cornflakes in a bowl. Shape into balls and roll in crushed graham crackers.
Microwave a cup of tomato or vegetable soup and enjoy with whole-grain crackers.
Fill a waffle cone with cut-up fruit and top with low-fat vanilla yogurt.
Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on hot popcorn.
Peel a banana and dip it in yogurt. Roll in crushed cereal and freeze.
Spread celery sticks with peanut butter or low-fat cream cheese. Top with raisins.
Stuff a whole-grain pita pocket with ricotta cheese and Granny Smith apple slices. Add a dash of cinnamon.
Mix together ready-to-eat cereal, dried fruit and nuts in a sandwich bag for an on-the-go snack.
Smear a scoop of frozen yogurt on two graham crackers and add sliced banana to make a yummy sandwich.
Microwave a small baked potato. Top with reduced-fat cheddar cheese and salsa.
Make snack kabobs. Put cubes of low-fat cheese and grapes on pretzel sticks.
Toast a whole-grain waffle and top with low-fat yogurt and peaches.
Mix together low-fat cream cheese, mixed dried fruit bits and shelled sunflower seeds. Spread on a toasted English muffin.
Blend low-fat milk, frozen strawberries and a banana for thirty seconds for a delicious smoothie.
Make a mini-sandwich with tuna or egg salad on a whole-grain dinner roll.
Sprinkle grated Monterey Jack cheese over a corn tortilla; fold in half and microwave for twenty seconds. Top with salsa.
Spread peanut butter on apple slices.
Reference: Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics
-Kelsey
by kelsey | Jul 26, 2017 | Weight Management, Wellness/Health

July and August are typically known to be our hottest months out of the year, which is why I thought it was perfect timing to discuss proper hydration procedures to ensure you do not suffer from any heat related illnesses such as heat stroke or dehydration. With the high temps and humidity, it’s extra important to make sure you get enough fluids! It is important to stay hydrated throughout the day, as it is too late, if you wait to get a drink when you feel thirsty. Especially for those older adults, it takes longer for them to feel thirsty even though they may be severely dehydrated.
Tips for getting adequate fluids:
- Keep a glass or bottle of water with you during the day so you can sip on it. Drink when you are thirsty and even when you are not thirsty.
- Drink more water instead of sugary beverages, milk and juice to avoid those extra hidden calories. Alcohol will increase your water loss. Plain water always works the best.
- Increase your fluid intakes if your diet is high in fiber, protein or salt.
- On days where you may be sweating alot or burning extra calories such as an all day softball tournament in 80-90 degree weather, or doing yardwork/landscaping in the heat all day…you may need to add electrolytes such as Gatorade or Powerade. I prefer G2 Gatorade as it’s lower in sugar, yet still has plenty of electrolytes. **Please note, these drinks are not necessary when you’re doing less than an hour of light activity or more sedentary activities as they just add extra calories and sugar.
- Consult with your doctor or dietitian if you are on a fluid restricted diet and would like further help with your hydration needs.
Use the above chart to determine your hydration level by the color of your urine.
-Kelsey
Graphic Reference:http://www.brownsburgathletics.com/images/urine.gif
by kelsey | Jul 25, 2017 | Etc.

Jumpstart your wellness and take control of your health. Join us for STRIVE 2 Survive, our 12-week health and wellness program beginning September 12th!
The two main components of STRIVE 2 Survive include diet & exercise.
12 Week Wellness Program
6 Lectures: every other Tuesday @ 5:30-6:30pm.
All Lectures at the County Fair Banquet Hall
September 12: “Healthy Eating Made Easy” Kelsey Raml, MS, RD, LN
September 26: “Exercise for the Health of It” Dr. Dan Reiffenberger & Dr. Torness
October10: “Your Equation to Success” Dr. Jon McAreavey
October 24: A Walk thru the Wellness Wheel” Dr. Clark Likness“
November 7: “Medications…to do or not to do” Deidra VanGilder, PharmD
November 21: “Making Health a Way of Life” STRIVE Team
6 Take Home Lessons: sent to you during the weeks we don’t meet. Topics are focused on wellness.
Evaluations
- Lab Work: lipid & glucose labs: beginning and end of program
- Body Composition Testing : beginning and end of program
- Weekly Weigh Ins
Cost: $130 includes lab work, body composition tests, lectures, lessons, and Strive 2 Survive t-shirt
STRIVE 2 Survive applies to all who have a heartbeat…adolescents to the elderly!!
Contact us NOW to get enrolled!
For more information and to sign up, contact:
886-8482 or email strive2survive@brownclinic.org Visit our wellness blog at: www.s2sbrownclinic.com
by kelsey | Jul 20, 2017 | Etc.

I shared this on our Facebook page, but thought I’d post here on our site too for those who don’t have Facebook. I came across a great article about the hot topics of “clean eating,” GMOs, and organic foods. I couldn’t have said it better myself….take a read if you’re interested in this topic! I included a few of my favorite parts from the article below. https://tonic.vice.com/en_us/article/zmvwb4/eating-clean-wont-make-you-any-healthier?utm_source=vicefbus
-Kelsey
“Meanwhile, after years of research, GMOs are agreed to not only be safe, but in many cases also more nutritious than their non-GMO counterparts, D’Orazio says. Not only has no one ever died from eating a GMO, but GMO crops are in fact a too…l that can help save many of the 3.1-million children who die of malnutrition each year. “
“At the end of the day, weight loss, gain, or maintenance is calories in, calories out,” Lowe says. Years of scientific research agrees. “Claiming something like a non-GMO or organic food will help you lose more weight is like me saying ‘what’s the alignment of the stars, and which alignment are you born under, and then I’ll tell you whether you can lose weight or not,'” Lowe says.”
by kelsey | Jul 20, 2017 | Etc.

IBS Support Group Meeting Notice
A support group for people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) will hold a meeting on Wednesday, July 26th at 6:30pm in the west conference room at Prairie Lakes Hospital.
The group works to educate those who are living with IBS and to increase awareness of the disorder. IBS is a functional bowel disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhea, constipation, or a combination of both. There is no cure for IBS.
The support group was formed a year ago. It focuses on sharing experiences and discussing symptom management. The July 26 meeting will include a discussion of diet, exercise, stress management, and medications to treat and manage IBS symptoms.
There is no cost to attend. Everyone is welcome!
To learn more contact Bruce Ford at 880-5213.