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Breakfast Cereals
Some breakfast cereals marketed to kids are the equivalent of eating cake for breakfast. Even the cereals labeled ''whole grain'' can be full of sugars and empty calories with only a small amount of fiber added. Check the ingredient label and make sure that sugar or any other name for sugar, such as high fructose corn syrup, is not in the top three ingredients. Instead, look for the word ''whole'' as the first word listed in the ingredients. Once the ingredient label checks out, look for a cereal with 3 or more grams of both protein and fiber per serving.

Hot Dogs
Highly processed meats like hot dogs and bologna contain nitrites, which are linked to an increased cancer risk. Increased consumption of red and processed meats are also associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. They are also high in sodium and saturated fats and often come served with additional high sodium condiments and a white bun made of enriched flour, which lacks fiber and nutrients.

Chicken Nuggets or Chicken Fingers
Chicken nuggets from popular fast food chains often contain 20 or more ingredients and are fried in oils with additives such as dimethylpolysiloxane, an "antifoaming agent."

Fruit Snacks
It's easy to believe these snacks are a healthy choice for kids because of the use of the word fruit, but they are frequently loaded with sugar, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors and preservatives sweetened with fruit juice and contain no actual fruit. They can stick to children's teeth and cause dental caries, and are often no better nutritionally than any other gummy candies.

Sugary Drinks
One of the worst things for children aren't actually foods but drinks, and not just colas and fruit punch. Juices and sports drinks also contain high amounts of sugar and empty calories. It might come as a surprise that some fruit flavored juices contain even more sugar than sodas.

Packaged Lunches
Packaged lunches with deli meat, cheese and cracker combinations and often a drink and dessert are high in sodium, unhealthy fats, and simple carbohydrates that provide few nutrients to your child.

Hard Candies and Lollipops
Hard candies and lollipops are essentially just sugar and artificial colorings and flavors. They are harmful to teeth because they stay in the mouth for extended periods of time and may cause caries or cavities.

Toaster Pastries or Strudels
Not only are these "breakfast foods" filled with sugar-sweetened jelly in the middle (often lacking any fruit whatsoever), they also come with icing on top, and sometimes even sprinkles. Some of the most common brands contain more than 50 ingredients.

Kid's Meals
Restaurant and fast food kids meals often offer foods of only one color: brown. Hamburgers, grilled cheese, fries or mashed potatoes are popular options. A kid's meal with a cheeseburger, small fries and a small soda can contain over 800 calories, 40 grams of fat and 1,000 grams of sodium. In general, the more color on a kid's plate, the more nutrients.

Packaged Pasta
Packaged pastas like macaroni and cheese, canned spaghetti and ramen noodles can have more sodium in one serving than is recommended for a child in an entire day.

source: http://www.livestrong.com/

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