Thursday, May 27, 2010

Imbibing right eating habits in children

Major problem which most parents face these days is their children’s obesity. It is hard for parents to juggle between the professional and family life. Fast food and ready meals have become the order of the day and children are becoming unhealthy, obese and lazy. It is also found out by various studies that children are now becoming overweight and many are dying due to over eating. Parents play the supreme role in shaping their children’s habits.

Good Children’s diet can make the life happier and healthy

Parents need to guide and train their children from an early stage so as to keep the problems at bay in the future. Children need to be taught the importance of breakfast as it is the most essential meal in the day. Eating porridge, cereals (sugar free) and yoghurt can make them ready for the entire day. Children should be discouraged from eating between the meals. They should also be taught that they should not eat when they are either stressed or happy as this can become a habit later on.

Children’s likings and disliking should be taken into consideration before preparing any meal. Fried food or any food item with high sugar value should be controlled from the children’s diet. Chocolates or packed meals can be restricted to once in a week. Most children enjoy taking grapes, strawberries and apples which can be given to satisfy their hunger. Most of the parents feel that children will not enjoy natural food however, it must be remembered that habits stay for life.

Involving children in physical activities like biking, running, walking can be extremely helpful in the long run. Parents can give their children fruits, vegetables or any food item with low fats. Teaching children to be active each day can make them active throughout their lives. Research has also proven that the families who sit together and take meals at set timings regularly, have higher percentages of healthier children than families who do not. Children’s Diet may include delicious deserts which can be prepared with a layer of creamy yoghurt or any other nutritious food item. Along with children’s diet, children must also be taught the importance of exercise and the physical activities in their daily routine. Doing this properly would ensure avoiding serious ailments, obesity and heart diseases in children.

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