Your health: Here are some tips for healthy snacks for kids

Make healthy snacks for your children

March is National Nutrition Month, a nutrition education and information campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The group offers ideas for healthy snacks for kids including:

• Parfait: Layer vanilla or plain low-fat yogurt with fruit and dried cereal.

• Smoothie: Blend low-fat milk, frozen strawberries and a banana for 30 seconds for a delicious smoothie.

• Frozen Treats: Mix equal amounts of fat-free plain or flavored yogurt with 100 percent fruit juice, then pour into paper cups and freeze for a tasty treat.

• Quesadilla: Sprinkle shredded cheese over a corn or whole wheat tortilla; fold in half and microwave for 20 seconds. Top with salsa.

• Pita: Stuff a whole-grain pita pocket with ricotta cheese and Granny Smith apple slices. Add a dash of cinnamon.

Tips for avoiding getting the mumps

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that as of March 4, it had received reports of 1,242 cases of mumps. Locally, some schools have had outbreaks of the mumps.

The best way to prevent the mumps is to get the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, the CDC states, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 through 6 years old. Teens and adults should also get updated vaccines as they get older.

The MMR vaccine prevents most, but not all, cases of mumps and complications caused by the disease. Two doses of the vaccine are 88 percent effective at protecting against mumps; one dose is 78 percent effective.

The virus can be spread by coughing or sneezing, sharing items such as cups or eating utensils and touching objects or surfaces with unwashed hands.

Prevention tips include: wash your hands frequently with soap and water; don't share cups or utensils as mumps can be contracted through saliva; and clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces with disinfectant.