As children have now started a new school year, parts of their daily routines in school as well as at home will revolve around food. Whether it is grabbing a quick breakfast before they head out the door or an afternoon snack at school, it is important to try and maintain a balanced diet with the proper nutritional values. Of course, as a parent, it can be incredibly difficult to find the time to check off every vitamin and mineral your child needs. However, there are some helpful strategies you can use to improve your child’s eating habits.
School-aged children typically have a slow but steady growth rate and tend to eat about four to five times a day (with snacks). Older children also may have a broader pallet and are willing to try a more diverse variety of foods. Family, friends, and even the media can influence a child’s eating habits including likes and dislikes. It can be helpful for children to take part in the choosing and preparing of snacks and meals as it can give them a sense of control and responsibility while also providing them with education. Emphasizing regular mealtimes and serving meals at the table rather than in front of the television can eliminate distractions, so your child will focus on eating. Control your child’s portion sizes and try to prepare foods that include calcium, magnesium, fiber, and potassium. The benefits of ingesting many vitamins and minerals in wholesome foods is only amplified by maintaining proper physical fitness. Having children be active for at least 60 minutes a day and making sure they are drinking water regularly successfully joins with a proper diet to promote healthy growth. Also, as the parent, it is incredibly important to set a good example of healthy eating habits.
The morning can be an exceptionally hectic time of day: trying to get your child ready for school, preparing for work, and making sure you have everything needed to set the tone for the rest of the day. In the haste of the morning hustle, a quick, easy, and healthy breakfast sounds like a winner. Some quick but healthy breakfast ideas include fruit, a bagel, cheese toast, cereal, and a peanut butter sandwich. It is also beneficial to take advantage of large after school appetites following a long day of learning. Some filling, healthy snack ideas include yogurt, vegetables and dip, turkey or chicken sandwiches, cheese and crackers, and cereal with milk.
Getting your child engaged and interested in nutrition can also aid in promoting a balanced diet plan. At “MyPlate.gov,” you can discover many activities for kids including games, apps, and activity sheets. The “MyPlate” image provided on the site is divided into five different categories of food, and it describes and explains the various types of nutrients for each. Grain products are made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, or another cereal grain, and you should typically aim for mostly whole grains. Children should have a variety of vegetables of many colors including dark greens, reds, legumes, and starchy vegetables. Any fruit or 100 percent fruit juice can count as part of a child’s fruit portion for the day, and they may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried. For the dairy serving, try to stick to low-fat and high calcium products. Low-fat and lean proteins are the best way to go, and you want to try varying these sources as well including chicken, fish, nuts, and beans.
Along with nutrient-rich foods, there are many beneficial supplements that can aid in your child’s healthy diet and growth. Earthley is a clean, all-natural health and wellness brand that offers many products that are safe and effective for the whole family. All of Earthley’s products are made completely in-house with no outsourcing to a third party, which ensures their commitment to clean and pure ingredients. Kate Tietje, lead herbalist and CMO of Earthley, says, “We don’t (and won’t) use any compromising ingredients. Everything on our labels is recognizable because it’s all about using whole and unprocessed plant materials.” Earthley’s “Nourish Me Naturally” is an herbal multivitamin tincture that provides the natural levels of vitamins and minerals your body needs to promote overall health, and it is safe for children one year and older. Earthley’s “Greens Powder” is a popular item that is high in vitamins and minerals to give your nutrition a boost. It contains kelp, spirulina, alfalfa, spinach, lemon balm, and green tea and can easily be mixed with a drink or in a smoothie. This is also safe for children one year and older and can help to fill some of those nutritional gaps in your child’s diet.
For more information, visit www.earthley.com
