El Centro del Pueblo seminar

Univision’s Dr. Aliza and Betty Crocker Executive Chef Adriana Amione Encourage Healthy Eating Habits for Kids and Parents
Qué Rica Vida Seminar Draws Dozens of Parents To El Centro del Pueblo

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dozens of parents gathered today at the El Centro del Pueblo community service agency in the Silver Lake area to hear two well-known Latina nutrition specialists discuss ways to maintain childhood health and fitness in the Hispanic community. Univision health specialist Dr. Aliza A. Lifshitz, M.D., who also publishes VidaySalud.com, and Adriana Amione, executive chef at the Betty Crocker Kitchens at General Mills in Minneapolis, led the Open Forum. The event, sponsored by General Mills in anticipation of next month’s Mexican Children’s Day on April 30, was part of the Vivir Sano nutritional series of the company’s Qué Rica Vida Hispanic initiative.


“Genes should not become an excuse to indulge in bad eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle”


Among the pointed advice Dr. Aliza offered parents: Know what your child’s proper weight should be, and do everything you can to get them to it. And two, keep away from fad diets.

“Genes should not become an excuse to indulge in bad eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle,” she said. “Anyone, regardless of family genetics, can learn to eat right and stay active, and as parents, we need to understand that. Not helping our children maintain a healthy weight significantly increases their risk of suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory problems, sleep apnea, depression and anxiety later in life.”

Dr. Aliza offered several tips to parents for getting children to eat better and learn healthy habits: Eat together regularly as a family; serve a variety of healthy foods and snacks; set an example by eating healthy yourself; avoid arguing over food issues; and involve children and teens in the meal-preparation process.

Chef Adriana, who demonstrated two fun, easy-to-make, healthy recipes that appeal to kids, said that “in preparing a meal, make sure you always practice portion control.”

“You can prepare the healthiest meal possible for your family, but if the portions aren’t right and you allow them to serve themselves seconds, you’re defeating the entire purpose of cooking healthy,” she said.

The recipes Chef Adriana demonstrated came directly from the Betty Crocker Kitchens, and included a Blueberry Smoothie made with 99% Fat Free creamy vanilla Yoplait® yogurt, and a Crunchy Apple Salad using Honey Nut Cheerios®. Samples of both were distributed to the crowd, all of which raved about the combinations.

About Qué Rica Vida

Now in its fifth year, the Qué Rica Vida initiative is an important resource designed to provide Latina moms with culturally relevant lifestyle information and expert advice on Education, Holiday Occasions, Health & Wellness and Family - issues of great importance to Hispanic families in America. The program was developed by General Mills to help the Hispanic mother succeed in creating a healthier, easier, richer life for her and her family. The cornerstone of the Qué Rica Vida initiative is its free quarterly lifestyle magazine and website of the same name, www.quericavida.com.

About General Mills

One of the world's leading food companies, General Mills operates in more than 100 countries and markets more than 100 consumer brands, including Cheerios, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Progresso, Yoplait, Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills had fiscal 2010 global net sales of US$16 billion, including the company’s $1.2 billion proportionate share of joint venture net sales.

Disclosure-No compensation was received. Informational post only.