subject: 6 Healthy Eating Strategies To Parents With Kids And Why You Need To Know Them [print this page] The big ongoing question for parents today regarding the health of their child is "How do I get them to eat a healthy school lunch?" Once a child is out of the house, peer pressure and opportunity set in.
Left to make choices on their own, kids often gravitate to unhealthy eating behaviors. Some lean toward high-fat, sugary foods; while others may lean toward restrictive foods, eliminating meat and dairy.
As a child gets older, their eating habits become an even bigger problem, as their bodies react to habits of the past. It is hard to break old habits. More often than not, parents become unaware that unhealthy eating can become a habit, not unlike tobacco and alcohol.
Adolescents become more aware of the way they physically look. Young teenagers often go on crash diets trying to change their body shape. Nutrition never enters their minds.
Nutritional deficiencies, such as calcium and iron, are essential elements for growth. Poor nutrition can affect puberty, menstrual irregularities, and eventually osteoporosis.
Growing children have nutritional needs. So, what can parents do?
1. Be a good role model. Children learn what to value and how to value their bodies from the role models they see around them. If parents are constantly putting down their own bodies, then kids will do the same thing.
2. Talk up physical activity. Focus on the benefits of exercise. Kids who are more physically active will often do better academically, with better attitudes and higher self-esteem.
3. Do not be a passive watcher. Instead of watching your child from the sidelines, participate in their activities. Show them that healthy eating and active living are important.
4. Create a healthy home environment. Stock the pantry with whole-grains, low-fat dairy, fruits and vegetables instead of cookies and chips. Limit TV and computer time. Make physical activity a normal family activity, such as walking or bike riding together.
5. Eat together more often. Planning a family meal and sitting down together is much healthier than grab-and-go fast food or having family members on different schedules. Decide to spend a dinner hour around the kitchen table.
6. Make healthy living a family affair. Regardless of the weight status of you or your children, encourage healthy eating habits. It all starts in the home.
Because kids are growing, a parent should keep focused on weight management rather than on any type of weight loss. Keeping weight stable, while growing, means a lower body mass index over time.
Parents should teach children to eat for nutrition, not for fulfillment.
