Teaching your child to eat healthy can be inspiring. But you have to lead by example. That way you will indirectly train your children to manage a healthy weight. Because they pick up good eating habits as children, which they will carry over into their adulthood.
If you take your child to a health care provider, they will be able to examine your child’s height, weight and also explain their BMI to you. Additionally, taking them for a professional evaluation will give you information on your child’s needs to gain or lose weight or if any dietary adjustments need to be followed.
One of the best ways to promote portion control and healthy eating is to reduce the amount of fat and sugar intake your child takes through various drinks and food. Basic ways you can do this include:
- Buying nonfat dairy or low-fat products
- Eating your chicken with the skin off
- Buying cereals and loaves of bread that are wholegrain
- Snack on healthy bits like vegetables and fruits
Also, make an effort to decrease the sugar content in sweetened drinks and salt in your teen’s diet.
If you’re uncertain about how to choose and prepare versatile food options for your family. Exercise your liberty and make contact with a certified dietitian. Who will provide with the most practical tips you can apply almost immediately. You can also find tips on Care for Kids here if you want a faster response.
If your child or children are currently overweight, don’t put them on a restricted diet. This is very important. Young lads should never be given a restricted diet to follow unless that directive is given by a medical practitioner.
Other methods parents can use to instill healthy eating habits in their little ones include:
Don’t dictate food choices
Begin by providing assorted options of healthy food in the house. After some practice, your kids will adopt healthy food selections. For instance, don’t buy chips, juice, candy, or soda at the store. If junk food isn’t in the house, they will be less likely to think it’s ok to eat it. Teaching kids healthy habits from the start is super important.
Train your kids to eat slowly
A child can tell the difference of whether they are a bit full or hungry when they eat slowly. Before they go for seconds, train your child to wait approximately 20 minutes so they can check if they are really hungry still.
This period will grant their brains time to record fullness. Another thing to note is that the second serving should be much less than the first.
Eat together as a family
During this time, make an effort to make eating time pleasant, share fun-filled conversations and don’t argue or scold your children during this time. If mealtimes are not enjoying your kids could make an effort to eat faster and head off to the next activity as quickly as possible. Also, you don’t want your kids to associate eating time with stress.
Pay attention to your food labels and avoid buying foods with trans fat. Ensure you prepare and serve the food as directed on the label. Pay particular attention to the ingredients on the label. Also, ensure your kiddie’s meals are balanced even outside the home.
Research and find more nutritional information about the food they eat at school, do their lunch packs, and place varied food options. Choose healthier options when eating out. This way you won’t go wrong.
Discipline Is A Good Thing
Picky toddlers can be a mom’s worst nightmare, but you don’t have to succumb to every meal being a power struggle. You can learn positive parenting techniques to help combat food time fussiness in the new book, High Five Discipline. American Academy of Pediatrics Spokesperson, mother, and practicing pediatrician Candice Jones, MD, FAAP shows parents a better way to manage misbehavior and encourages good behavior.
This positive parenting guide helps parents better understand child development in a way that is easy to comprehend and shows you that the ways that children are disciplined shapes not only their behavior but their overall health and wellbeing too.
Her new book is packed with developmentally appropriate strategies for parents to quickly implement in order to tame tantrums, stop endless sibling squabbles, and how to reward the good behavior, all while creating a calmer, more harmonious home.
