Nassau County Legislator Dave Mejias (D-North Massapequa) and the American Heart Association recently noted that as summer comes to a close and parents start their back to school shopping, they should not only be thinking about clothes and supplies but also about what types of lunch they should pack for their children.

The American Heart Association recommends that kids should eat a wide variety of foods while consuming enough calories to support their growth and development. Children and their families should eat: foods low in saturated fat, cholesterol and total fat; choose a wide range of foods to get enough carbohydrates, protein and other nutrients; and eat only enough calories to maintain a healthy weight for their height and build.

Legislator Mejias also pointed out that a disturbing trend observed around the country is the dramatic increase of overweight and obese children. The trend is particularly alarming because obesity clusters with other major cardiovascular disease risk factors. These factors include hypertension, cholesterol disorders and type-2 diabetes, which are increasing in children and adolescents.

In addition, overweight children are more likely to be overweight adults. Teaching children healthy eating habits now may reduce now may reduce their risks of becoming overweight adults.

Here are some tips to think about when preparing your children's food:

* Choose foods naturally low in saturated fat and cholesterol, like fruits and vegetables. Most are naturally low in fat, calories and sodium and high in fiber, vitamins and minerals.

* Choose fat-free or low-fat products. Take the low-fat challenge, and compare different products. Cutting back on fat will help keep the calorie intake low.

* Use lean meats. Choose fish, chicken, turkey and lean cuts of beef and pork.

* Switch to fat-free milk. Gradually reduce the fat content of the milk you drink.

* Start with 2 percent milk, then try one percent milk and finally try fat-free milk.

* Switch to low-fat breads.