Frequently Asked Questions

What makes SnackerTracker ® different?

SnackerTracker ® is specifically designed for children. We are the only nutritional tracking system that starts at age 2 - when critical eating habits are being formed.  

Parents can feel confident that the information and guidelines provided within the SnackerTracker Nutritional Guide was created together with a registered dietitian.   

Plus, SnackerTracker ® allows parents to teach their children the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle, while allowing their children to contribute on a daily basis. We put kids in control through a fun and interactive nutritional tool that allows them to chart their daily successes. 

What is SnackerTracker's ® philosophy?

At SnackerTracker ® we believe that living a healthy lifestyle is essential for the whole family. We are dedicated to educating children and their parents about the benefits of eating right and exercising.   

We believe that the path to healthy living starts at home and we are committed to creating educational tools that enhance, empower and educate the whole family. Understanding nutrition is key to leading a healthy lifestyle which is why we are determined to make nutrition simple.

We are here to give your children what they need to become healthy adults and what you need to continue as healthy adults.

Can being overweight or obese affect a person's health?

Yes, being overweight or obese can present health related problems such as hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides and even some cancers like breast and colon.

What is the best way to lose weight?

If you are looking to lose a large amount of weight, you should consult with your personal physician or health care professional before starting any weight-loss program.

The Surgeon General's Healthy Weight Advice for Consumers makes the following general recommendations:

• Aim for a healthy weight. People who need to lose weight should do so gradually, at a rate of one-half to two pounds per week.

• Be active. The safest and most effective way to lose weight is to reduce calories and increase physical activity.

• Eat well. Select sensible portion sizes and follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Does physical activity help prevent overweight and obesity?

Yes, physical activity, along with a healthy diet, plays an important role in the prevention of overweight and obesity .To maintain a stable weight, a person needs to expend the same amount of calories as he or she consumes. (USDHHS, 2001)

Experts agree that inactivity and poor eating habits contribute to obesity. National guidelines recommend 150 minutes of physical activity each week for elementary children and 225 minutes for older children. 

Did you know that if you eat 100 more food calories a day than you burn, you'll gain about 1 pound in a month. That's about 10 pounds in a year. The bottom line is that to lose weight, it's important to reduce calories and increase physical activity.

What are some quick ways to incorporate exercise into our day?

Here are five quick tips to incorporate exercise into your family's daily routine. 

• Walk when ever you can. Instead of picking the closest parking space, park further out or take the stairs instead of an elevator.

• Walk the dog. Fido needs exercise too. Go on a family walk with the dog. And while you're walking him, do a few squats to work out those quads.

• Get up and move during those TV commercials. During an hour of TV there are 20 minutes of commercials. That means your family can squeeze in twenty minutes of exercise each day. Five to 10 minutes of jumping jacks can burn up to 90 calories in one 10-minute session.

• Try 5 to 10 minutes of jumping jacks. In one 10- minute session you can burn up to 90 calories.

• Before dinner, have the family do some standing push-ups while everyone waits to eat. Stand about an arm's length from the kitchen counter, and push your arms against the counter. Push in and out to work your arms and shoulders. After dinner, go outside and play tag or shoot baskets with your kids and their friends.

By exercising together you will show your children the importance of being healthy. Your children learn from the things you do so lead by example.

Will eating less than my recommended calories each day help me lose weight faster?

No. Our bodies are designed to protect us from starvation during times of greatly reduced food availability, and when we eat too little, our bodies go into "starvation mode". To compensate, metabolism slows down making it nearly impossible to lose weight.  

How does eating fast food affect my family and children?

Nearly one-third of U.S. Children aged 4 to 19 eat fast food every day, resulting in approximately six extra pounds per year, per child. Fast food consumption has increased fivefold among children since 1970.  ("Effects of Fast-Food Consumption on Energy Intake and Diet Quality Among Children in a National Household Survey," Pediatrics, January 2004.)