With good food habits and daily physical activity you are building a healthy lifestyle for your child. Easy to say, but sometimes not so easy to do!
Our busy lifestyles can be hard on our family’s health. Rushing to and from school and work can make it hard to find time to be physically active. We can also slip into the habit of choosing unhealthy snacks and take-away foods or spending our other curriculum activities.
But this can be dangerous for our children’s health. Take stock and make a conscious decision to follow a healthy lifestyle for your child. Whether you have a toddler or a teen your child is your most precious asset. You can help your child develop healthy habits early in life that will bring lifelong benefits. As a parent, you can encourage your kids to evaluate their food choice and physical activity habits.
There are some healthy tips you may follow:
1. Get active each day
- Regular physical activity is important for the healthy growth, development and well-being of children and young people.
- Kid’s don’t like to hear what they can’t do, tell them what they can do instead. Keep it fun and positive. Everyone likes to be praised for a job well done. Celebrate successes and help children and teens develop a good self-image. Parents should be good role models and have a positive attitude to being active.
- They should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day, including vigorous activities that make them ‘huff and puff’.
- Include activities that strengthen muscles and bones on at least 3 days of the week.
2. Be realistic
- Setting realistic goals and limits are key to adopting any new behavior. Children need to realize that the world is a better place because they are in it. Understanding the importance of personal contribution can serve as a source of purpose and motivation.
3. Choose water as a drink
- Water is the best way to quench your thirst – and it doesn’t come with the added sugar found in fruit juices, soft drinks and other sweetened drinks.
- Reduced fat milk for children over two is a nutritious drink and a great source of calcium.
- Give kids whole fruit to eat, rather than offering fruit juices that have a lot of sugar.
4. Make dinnertime a family time
- When everyone sits down together to eat, there’s less chance of children eating the wrong foods or snacking too much.
- Allow kids to invite a friend to dinner.
- Keep mealtime calm and friendly — no lectures or arguing.
- Everyone develops good eating habits together and the quality time with the family will be an added bonus.
- Involve your child in meal planning and preparation.
5. Eat fewer snacks and select healthier alternatives
- Make a habit of having less snacks to your child and find the healthier alternatives. Healthy snacks help children and young people meet their daily nutritional needs.
- Snacks based on fruit and vegetables, reduced fat dairy products and whole grains are the healthiest choices.
- Avoid snacks that are high in sugar or saturated fats – such as chips, cakes and chocolate – which can cause children to put on excess weight.
6. Stay involved
- Be an advocate for healthier children. Insist on good food choices at school. Make sure your children’s healthcare providers are monitoring cardiovascular indicators like BMI, blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Be very serious towards their health and diet.
- If possible, make their diet health. Which will be best for their foundation.
We need to teach our children, to eat real food
– No fast foods
– No junk foods
– No processed foods
– Just Honest, Nutrituous, Real food.
