Some recipes for slenderizing

SCRIPPS HOWARD
Some tips to help your kids -- and you -- make healthy lifestyle choices:
UEat right: Everyone should get five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day. If you feel stuffed reading that, you may think a serving is larger than it is. One serving is, generally, the amount of food that will fit in the palm of your hand, or about one-half cup. (Just one-quarter cup for dried fruit).
UThink colors: Aim for a rainbow of fruits and vegetables: red, green, yellow, white and so on.
UChop and dip: Kids often like raw veggies that crunch. Try cutting up cauliflower, broccoli and carrots and serving with a low-fat dressing for dipping.
UKeep it handy. Put ready-to-eat fruit and veggies in the fridge. Sugar snap peas, baby carrots and cherry tomatoes are especially kid-friendly (and don't require any chopping). Put fresh fruit in a bowl on the counter, in full view of hungry kids. If it's there, they might eat it.
UEat breakfast. It doesn't have to be complicated. Cereal is fine and fast (no, not the kind that's mostly marshmallows). And who says PB & amp;J sandwiches are just for lunch?
UGrab 'n' go: An apple, a low-fat granola bar and string cheese can make a balanced breakfast or lunch.
UServe fruits or vegetables with every meal and snack, and don't forget to pack them in kids' lunches. Try dried fruit instead of candy.
UAny way you slice it: Kids might not eat a whole apple, but they might eat a few pieces if you cut it up and serve it with a meal.
UAdd a can or frozen package of vegetables to a pasta dish or soup to up the veggie count.
UEat with your children and turn the TV off.
UTake your kids shopping with you. Get them to pick out some vegetables and fruits that they want.
UGet kids to pick out a few pieces of candy to eat each day, then brush their teeth. No seconds.
UMonitor your children's weight, and make sure their health-care providers do so as well.
UDon't overload portions, and don't make kids clean their plates. Encourage them to determine their own portions and to pay attention to when they are full.
UDon't use food as a reward.
UStock the house with healthy food. There are enough temptations away from home.
URemember: You have to be a good role model of healthy eating.
UGet moving: Get a beach ball and play with it outside, inside, wherever (well, maybe not in the car).
URaining? Turn up the radio or pop in a CD and dance. Show your kids how to do the macarena, the Smurf, the bump, the swim, or make up your own family dance.
UTake a walk after dinner.
UGet your kids to walk or bike to school.
ULimit electronic screen time to no more than two hours a day.