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Last month, a fantastic NPR podcast highlighted the problem with plastic which I will summarize here: “According to a 2017 research article, more than 40% of all plastic made is packaging, which is used only once or twice before being thrown away. According to a recent analysis examining global plastic waste generation between 2010 and 2016, the United States was responsible for more plastic trash than any country in the world. That’s millions and millions of tons of plastic waste. Per capita, that boils down to nearly 300 pounds of plastic trash per person(!) per year. It’s estimated that only about 9% of plastic waste generated in the U.S. is recycled. The rest ends up in landfills, incinerators, and, unfortunately, marine environments such as rivers and oceans. And there, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it will remain for hundreds of years.”

Getting back to school is all about learning new routines, so now is a great time to develop healthier snacking habits. Packaged snack foods can be an easy, convenient choice for after school but often provide too many added calories and not enough nutrition. Snacks don't have to be complicated!

A food preference is the concept of liking certain foods over others. This is associated with many factors, most of which are learned and shaped by our experiences. We are born with some, however. For example, babies prefer sweet and fatty foods. Why? Breast Milk is sweet and high in fat! However, there are many other factors that start early in life that shape this preference that is forming in the first 2 years of your child’s life. Studies show that these early food preferences directly affect eating habits and are linked to a child’s overall health.  

As the pandemic continues to improve and families are slowly navigating the transition to "normalcy", Dr. Manasa Matravadi brings great tips on how to get together again safely.