Blog Posts by SparkPeople.com

By Jenny Sigler, for BabyFit

Most parents have heard reputable people-their doctor, family members, and other parents-say that it's safe to introduce solids to their baby when she is around four to six months old. (A "solid" is defined as any food other than breast milk or infant formula.) What you aren't often told is that most children are not developmentally ready to digest solids until at least six months of age or later.

Due to this advice and other misconceptions, many parents find themselves trying to spoon feed a tight-lipped infant. If your mother or even your doctor says your baby is ready for solids, don't be afraid to question their advice-especially if their reasoning involves any of the following misconceptions.

Misconception #1: Weight is an indicator of readiness for solids.

Both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and World Health Organization (WHO) state that solids can be introduced at six months and beyond-regardless of whether a child has

By Nicole Nichols, for SparkPeople

Summer is winding down, which means that many of us are hitting the outdoor ice cream stands for one last hurrah. But many ice cream establishments, like Dairy Queen, offer more than just ice cream. Some have full menus with burgers, sandwiches, fries, and chicken strips. How many calories would it set you back to grab some dinner with your ice cream?

DQ's Bacon Double Cheeseburger packs two beef patties, cheese, and bacon strips between its buns. The 4-Piece Chicken Strip Basket with Country Gravy comes with buttered Texas toast, creamy gravy, and deep-fried chicken. Neither of these meals is a healthy choice-both are heavy on the fat and calories. However, one of these meals is significantly higher in calories than the other one. Can you guess which of these meals is relatively "lighter"?


The Winner: Bacon Double Cheeseburger

Let us reiterate that neither of these choices are "healthy" choices. The purpose of this comparison is to

From SparkPeople's Ultimate Grilling Guide, by SparkPeople

It's time to fire up the grill and flip some burgers for Labor Day, the last hurrah of summer! But look out--those patties are often piled high with extra calories and fat. Lighten up your next cookout with these smarter ways to dress up your burger.


Bacon Cheeseburger: 80 Calories

1 slice turkey bacon
1/2 slice reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
Several tomato slices

1 teaspoon hummus mixed with 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce

1 slice part-skim mozzarella
Sliced tomatoes
Fresh basil and oregano

1 tablespoon blue cheese mixed with 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
1/4 cup spinach or arugula
Sliced red onions

1 tablespoon light mayo mixed with 1 teaspoon chili sauce
Grilled onions and peppers


Related links:

Best and Worst Cookout Foods

Our Best Summer Recipes

The Thrill of

By Becky Hand, Licensed and Registered Dietitian for SparkPeople

You may be busy gearing up for fall-packing away the bathing suit, buying fall clothes and school supplies, using the A/C less and opening the windows more-but state parks, swimming pools and campgrounds are all gearing up for the long Labor Day weekend, when families and friends take advantage of the waning hot season one last time.

Over the years, Labor Day has evolved from purely a labor union celebration into a "last fling of the summer" festival. But don't let uninvited guests spoil your fun! Poor planning (or carelessness) can increase the risk of food-born illness; the sun and hot temperatures can create an environment for food to spoil. To help keep your end-of-the-summer fling safe and satisfying for all, check out these picnic pointers and tasty side dishes. Picnicking at home allows the luxury of a nearby refrigerator.

• Store burgers, chicken, hot dogs, and cheese in a cool space until you

By Jen Mueller, for SparkPeople


We're all familiar with the saying "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." Yet it's so easy to get sucked in by the big promises many health and fitness products make. "Lose 10 pounds a week!", "Get ripped abs with this one piece of equipment!", or "Get the body you want without all the effort!" are some of the more extreme examples, but we spend billions of dollars every year hoping there is just a little bit of truth in their claims. Before you get out your wallet, it's a good idea to dig into these product claims further. A new survey investigated the research supporting magazine advertisements and websites for a broad range of sports products. The results might surprise you.

The analysis, published in the journal BMJ Open, found that of the products studied, not one had claims that could be supported by sound, scientific research. For example, "one manufacturer of protein drinks and pills, the researchers found, supported advertising

By Liza Barnes, for SparkPeople

Although a packed lunch can be a healthy alternative to cafeteria food, making sure all those required vitamins and minerals also squeeze into that brown bag can be a challenge. Here's how to pack your child an A+ lunch.

Make It Nutritious
To ensure that your child has ample fuel to power through those long classes, make sure they are eating a wide variety of foods from the major food groups. Use the "Plate" method (which replaced the Food Guide Pyramid in 2011) as a guide to make sure you're covering all the bases. Here are some additional tips on making lunchtime nutritious:

• Choose whole wheat bread instead of white. Whole grains are loaded with nutrients and fiber, while their refined counterparts are lacking. To make sure your bread is whole wheat, check the label. The first ingredient should be whole wheat, not just wheat flour. If your child is used to the refined version, try switching to a hybrid variety first, which

By Liza Barnes, for SparkPeople

Greens are versatile when it comes to cooking. You can heat them as a side dish, add them to soups, chop them to fill calzones or lasagna, and eat them raw in salads. Although greens can be delicious when they're properly prepared, most people who don't know how to do that, and wind up with a slimy, wilted pile of vegetable mush on their plates.

So here's a quick introduction to cooking and enjoying some of the most common greens.

Swiss Chard
There are two types of chard, green and red, which are distinguished by the color of their stalks. Sometimes you'll find them packaged together and marketed as "rainbow" chard. Look for hearty, perky, crinkled, dark-green leaves, attached to upright stalks. If the stalks are large, they should be cooked separately from the leaves, which cook much more quickly. Try cutting the stalks into 3-inch lengths and sautéing in olive oil until almost tender, adding salt and pepper to taste. Just as the stalks are almost

By Christine Johnson and Stepfanie Romine, for BabyFit


Your toddler is quickly outgrowing many things--car seat, clothes, and even some toys and games. But even though your little one seems to be moving on daily from different activities, the one event you may be anticipating--potty training--can't arrive quickly enough. While you have undoubtedly found a thousand clever uses for baby wipes, you are probably ready to ditch those and the diapers for good! Here are some ways to help make the transition to the potty easier on both you and your child.

Potty training should be age appropriate. Although it is tempting to nudge your toddler out of the nest, potty training can be especially difficult if your child is too young. First, make sure he or she understands the concept and can express herself. According to experts, most children begin to learn to use the toilet around 36 months. Familiarize your child with the toilet and tissue, and teach some appropriate words to signal the need to