subject: How To Maintain Healthy Lifestyle For Your Child [print this page] As in todays busy life most of the parents are working so they have less time to prepare healthy food for themselves as well for their children so they along with their children indulge in fast foods. Children eating fast foods more regularly has led them becoming overweight.
Obese children now are developing adult health problems like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, as they do not have a healthy lifestyle. Children who are obese or overweight are more likely to be obese adults, who increases their risks for developing heart disease and moreover he would be fighting to weight loss throughout his life spam.
What can we do to protect our children and reduce these health risks? As parents or role models, we can start by examining our own lifestyle and behaviors. Parents and caregivers are the most important influence on children. If you would be having a healthy lifestyle moreover your child will follow your lifestyle through out his life. So here are some of the tips that you can add to your childs habits so he can a have a healthy lifestyle.
1. Set a good example: Eat better and become more active as a family. If your children see you eating a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods for meals and snacks, they most likely will too. The same holds true for physical activity. Limit TV and computer screen time and get moving as a family. Play, swim, bike or hike.
2. Avoid oversized portions: A serving size is not equivalent to a portion. Portions should not be too large, as that will lead you eating more.
3. Make your kid's plate look great! Make half your child's plate fruits and vegetables. Kids love to dip their food. Dip vegetables in a healthy diet, such as chutney or souse. Offer fresh, frozen, dried or canned fruit more than juice. Dip fruit in low fat yogurt. Choose red, orange and dark green veggies and a variety of colorful fruits.
4. Go for grains: Offer whole grain foods such as whole wheat breads, pasta, tortillas or brown rice as it is rich in fiber which helps in digestion.
5. When it comes to protein go lean: Offer lean cuts of meat, seafood and skinless poultry. Bake, grill or broil versus frying. Protein also can be found in eggs, beans, soy products and nuts.
6. Don't forget dairy: Dairy products are a good source of calcium. Calcium is needed to develop strong and healthy bones. Low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt and cheese are good choices.
7. Cut back on sweets, desserts, and sip smarter: Sweets and desserts are high in calories, sugar, cholesterol and fat. Fruit, like baked pears and apples or frozen yogurt, can be dessert. Soda, energy drinks and sport drinks contain a lot of sugar. Water, 100 percent fruit juice and low fat/fat free milk are healthier choices.
8. Get creative and have fun in the kitchen: Get your children involved in preparing healthy meals. Use cookie cutters to create fun shapes. Create funny faces on English muffins with raisins, and cut up fruit. Make fruit kebabs, or make bugs on a log by covering apple slices or celery with peanut butter and adding pieces of dried fruits like raisons, cranberries etc. Challenge your child to eat diced fruit with chopsticks.
9. Don't use food as a reward: Reward good behavior with stickers or better yet hugs, kisses and your time and attention.
