Most parents want to feed their kids nutritious foods. Most companies want to sell parents food for their children regardless of actual nutritional values. Many times these companies will use tricks to make you feel their products are healthier than they actually are. Lactose free organic milk sounds pretty healthy doesn’t it? However, the nutritional value of any food or drink needs close consideration before feeding it to growing children.
While there genuinely are kids snacks that are healthy. Here is a list of foods that pretend to be healthy but actually aren’t:
1. Fruit on the bottom yogurt
Fruit on the bottom yogurt sounds healthy, but fruit on the bottom is a sneaky way of saying I have a ton of added sugar. The halo of the health benefits of fruit help sell this product, but if you want to add fruit to yogurt you are better off adding some fresh fruit to plain yogurt. If plain yogurt is too puckery for your kid’s tastes you can add some honey or maple syrup. Whatever you add will still probably be less than what that fruit bottom yogurt contains.
2. Sweetened applesauce
Sweetened applesauce gets that health halo from the added fruit again, but the added sweetener makes this anything but a healthy snack. Try no sugar-added applesauce. Or even better a whole apple with some peanut butter or cheese. A little protein turns this snack into something with staying power.
3. Energy bars
If I wanted to sell a parent a candy bar that they wouldn’t feel guilty about serving their kids I would give it fancy packaging and call it an energy bar. Most of these bars have similar calories and sugar to a candy bar. If you are going to give a treat to a kid you might as well give them the candy bar they actually want, but if you are going for something healthy. Steer clear of these guys.
4. Fruit snacks
There seems to be a theme here. If a company wants their product to seem healthy they just have to add the word fruit. Fruit products aren’t any healthier than a meat product and most people would rather keep spam out of their body. So do your kid a favor and skip anything that has the word fruit in favor of real fruit. It will probably taste better and it’s much healthier for your child.
5. Sugary cereals
Instead of using fruit to claim their healthy status many of these cereals use whole grains to try to claim healthy status. Too much sugar is never good for you even if there are a few grams of whole grains. Most of these cereals put in just enough whole grains to claim the ingredient on the package. Stick to actual whole-grain cereals and add your own small amount of sweetener if your kid won’t eat it straight. It will end up still much healthier than the alternative.
Parenting is a constant battle. Companies don’t make it easier by trying to mislead parents that are trying to do the best that they can for their kids. The only weapon we have as consumers is to stay informed on what is actually healthy. So to give your kids healthy snacks read your labels and try to avoid anything with too much sugar.
Osteoporosis is a condition that affects bone mass, making bones brittle and weak. In most cases, osteoporosis wears gradually on bones until fractures occur in the spine, wrist or the hip. Notably, a bone is a living tissue, and if healthy bones are broken, they are usually replenished by new bone. Osteoporosis occurs when the body cannot create new bone.
The symptoms of osteoporosis include bone and back pain, stooped posture and weak bones. The following foods can help ward off osteoporosis development:
1. Sardines with the bones
Sardines are rich in vitamin D and they are a good source of calcium. Sardines are bone boosting minerals since they contain zinc, phosphorous and omega-3 fatty acids which are important in dampening down joint inflammation. Notably, vitamin D found in sardines is essential for bone health given that it helps the body to absorb calcium. You should take at least 10 micrograms of sardines daily to boost the decreasing levels of calcium in the body.
2. Calcium-fortified cottage cheese
Calcium-fortified cottage cheese is rich in relatively low in fat, protein and high in calcium alongside Vitamin A and Vitamin B. The implication in this case is that this is an excellent source of calcium which is vital in bone health hence prevents osteoporosis. This is also important in weight loss.
3. Broccoli and kale
Broccoli and kale are natural common sources of calcium. They are rich in highly absorbable calcium and other essential nutrients for strong bones. Ensure that you introduce broccoli and kale in your diet and eat few servings daily to provide your body with the necessary nutrients it requires to keep your bones strong and healthy.
4. Dried figs
When you are looking for bone-strengthening fruits, ensure that you start with dried figs. Dried figs contain high levels of calcium alongside essential nutrients like magnesium and potassium. Eating dried figs will help your body to keep the bones strong.
Moreover, magnesium helps the body to absorb calcium. Most people lack sufficient amounts of magnesium in the body implying that they have weak bones. Eating dried figs provides the body with magnesium that boosts the absorption of calcium leading to strong and healthy bones.
5. Canned salmon
Canned salmon is rich in vitamin D which is a crucial nutrient that helps the body to absorb and process calcium. Additionally, research shows that 3-ounce of canned salmon contains 20 grams 25 percent and protein in your daily calcium needs.
6. Yogurt and milk
Intake of yoghurt and milk increases the amount of calcium in the body. This is essential in the development of bones. Add plain yoghurt and milk to your diet, they are rich in calcium which makes your bones healthy and strong. Yoghurt also contains lactose which is vital for strong bones.
There’s just something about a classic pick up truck. As far as stature and power, the following trucks led the way as far as impressive styling, engine power, hauling and off road capabilities that, no doubt, inspired the design of many pickups on the road today.
Here’s our list of the six most tried and true pickup trucks in history:
When I was a kid, all the cool teens had a Ford Bronco, but those with a limited edition Baja Bronco were king of the road. Why? As far as off-roading capabilities, the Baja offered a powerful 302-cid V8 paired with a C4 automatic, plus drivers got a impressive boost due to the high cut rear wheel wells and flares, which left ample room for huge tires. The Baja screamed daring adventure roll cage and special enhancements made to offer heavy-duty suspension.
Ford longed to take their classic F150 off-road, but it took until 2009 for them to create the Raptor, a pick up that offered smooth driving and handling and four-wheeling on even the most extreme desert terrain. Not to mention, this truck could haul an 8000-pound trailer. No problem! Offered in a SuperCrew cab and SuperCab configuration, the Raptor also featured a 4WD system based on the standard F-150, plus urethane bump stops and internal-bypass Fox Racing shocks, which allowed for smooth-riding suspension over the roughest roads and highest jumps.
More of a conversion kit than a model truck, Napco (otherwise known as the Northwest Auto Parts Company) made up for the fact that 1950s pickups didn’t come in 4WD (opposed from Dodge). So Napco designed a 4WD offered a conversion kit that let Chevy, Fords, and GMC owners get the 4WD power they longed for. By the year 1957, pick up manufacturers finally caught on and began installing Napco Power-Pak 4WD conversions on their assembly line pick ups.
While GM and Ford enthusiasts may have issue with this truck, one can hardly match the ruggedness of the Dodge Ram of the early 90’s with it’s Cummins diesel engine. In fact, you can still witness the impact of this redesigned Ram on many GM and Ford trucks to this day, with it’s “big rig” styling.
Prior to the Ford F-150, the Highboy was king of the Ford pick up empire. A tough-as-nails truck renowned for it’s ultra-rugged driving capabilities on any terrain, the Highboy was named for its sky-high frame and 35-inch tall tires that was inches taller than any Jeep, Dodge, or GM on the market. After 1977, the Highboy was considered a “Lowboy” as it was constructed at least 2-inches lower, which is why the original pre-1977 model is now considered a collector’s item.
When a celebrity race car driver pairs up with an auto manufacturer, sometimes the results can be disappointing, which was sort of the case when Rod Hall collaborated with Chrysler to birth the Rod Hall Signature Edition Dodge pick up truck. Only 33 of these beauties were made, and despite the Dodge Ram 150 base design, bed-mount light bar and driving lights, and slick pre-runner front and rear bumpers, for some reason Dodge plopped in a whimpy 318-cid V8 with only 170 hp. Despite the fact, this truck continues to be a collector’s item among pick up truck buffs.
The pickup truck is synonymous with America. It’s tough. It works hard. And it has no problem getting dirty to get the job done. This is likely why the pickup truck continues to be among the best selling vehicle in North America. Regardless of if you’re part of team Dodge, Ford, or Chevy, you know that owning a truck offers a truly unique driving experience compared to any sedan, small compact, or even an SUV.
Here are our top reasons to super-size your driving experience to a pickup truck:
If it’s room you desire, ignore any desires to buy a sleek, compact car and turn to a pickup instead. Seriously, a recent Chevy Silverado offers ample legroom and cargo space for a comfortable daily commute or road trip because who wants a leg cramp to start the work day. Passengers can literally stretch their legs out in a roomy four full pickup truck with ample room for tools and everything you need.
Perhaps power and hauling capabilities are your biggest concern when thinking about pickup truck ownership. However, believe it or not safety is a huge benefit of pickup truck ownership. positive! Think about the safety features built in to most full-size trucks—you get a caged cab, vehicle stability, safety seatbelt systems, side impact protection, and even trailer sway control already built into your vehicle.
Sure, if you own a pickup truck you kind of open yourself up to helping every single person you know move house. However, when it comes to hauling your own stuff, you can’t go wrong with a pickup truck. Take a truck like the Chevy Silverado for example, you can suddenly haul up to 12,000 pounds no problem thanks to the impressive torque and horsepower. Suddenly your vehicle can easily transition from work truck to off road camping vehicle of your dreams.
If it’s a boost you want, a pickup is your best bet when it comes to the best visibility on the road. The height of a standard pickup truck cabin permits a view over most other vehicles on the highway. Is that a traffic jam 6 blocks ahead? Luckily, you’ll be able to see it and take a quick detour if you drive a pickup. Not to mention, the cab of a pick up offers the driver and all passengers all-round visibility, front, back and side thanks to huge rear and side-view mirrors.
Leading us into the next reason why trucks are such great vehicles.
Putting aside all jokes about overcompensating, there is little doubt that many individuals choose to drive a pickup for the sheer power it offers. While Ford, Chevy, and GM differ as far as horses under the hood, most current trucks offer between 350- to 440-horsepower (hp) if you consider a Ford F-250 or a Dodge Ram.
Pickup trucks represent the American dream. And while car buyers have vered from SUV to sports coupe over the past few years, pickup truck buffs tend to harken to the past when it comes to sticking with their love of the classic pickup truck. Many of the following classic trucks in good condition sell for a pretty steep price among collectors.
Here are four of the most coveted collectible pickup trucks:
Considered neither a car nor a truck, the Bronco was unique as far a broaching the needs of both a car and a truck driver, which explains it’s motto “the best of both worlds”. This cube shaped truck debuted for 1966 in rudimentary form for a mere $2400 (base model). However, it was the impressively wide (at 92-inches) wheelbase that offered serious off roading, smooth highway driving, and extreme towing capabilities in a single vehicle. Touted literally as a sports car with 4-wheel drive, the Bronco was mounted on coil springs and outfitted with a V8 engine that could literally take drivers from camping to off roading while offering the style and comfort of a family wagon. Today, this year range of Ford Bronco retails for $25k plus.
Behold the inaugural Ford F-series pickup. Think of it as the crown of America’s trucking obsession. Considering this Ford series has ranked in the best-selling for decades, many pickup truck owners are still firmly planted in the Ford camp thanks to this very vehicle. If you’re lucky enough to find a 1948 Ford F1 for sale, you can expect to pay upwards of $30K depending on condition and customizations.
Looking at this truck, there’s little wonder that it was originally designed in the early 1940’s for military purposes. However, the Dodge Power Wagon caught on in the mainstream market due to its ability to travel virtually anywhere. The impressive 4×4 capabilities of this truck was so good that it there were no revisions until it was discontinued in 1968. If you spot one, expect to pay $45k or more!
It was called the “Super” for good reason. This high-option, everyday use pickup truck boosted unique interior design with a/c, tach dash, power brakes and steering, headliners, and tilt columns. Plus, the exterior could be costoumize with special paint and trim. Find one and expect to pay up to $30k for a model in good condition with lots of options.
