Healthy Eating

Healthy EatingBy: Emily Sullivan

Why Eat Healthy? Teaching children healthy eating habits can set them on course for a healthy life.Children grow rapidly everyday. Their bodies need a healthy diet to support healthy growth.Healthy eating can stabilize the minds of children, sharpen their minds, and improve moods.

Maintaining a Healthy WeightThe rate of childhood obesity has doubled in the past 30 years.Obese children are at risk for many diseases, including diabetes and bone/joint problems.They are often teased by peers in school.

Beyond the ScaleGetting the right nutrients are crucial to growing up healthyWill sharpen minds of kids and help them focus better in schoolImproves moods

Avoid Foods that Impair MoodCertain foods and drinks can make kids more vulnerable to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.A recent study found that people who drink 4 or more cups of soda or sweetened drinks a day had a much higher risk for depression.Excessive amounts of caffeine can trigger anxiety in kids and teens.

ContinuedA diet high in processed foods can increase a childs risk for anxiety and depression.Examples of processed foods: fried food, sweet desserts, refined flour and cereals, & processed meats.

Tips to Promote Healthy Childhood EatingHave regular family mealsCook more meals at homeGet kids involvedMake a variety of healthy snacks available instead of empty calorie snacksLimit portion sizes

How To Get a Picky Child to Enjoy a Wider Variety of FoodsOffer a new food only when your child is hungry and restedPresent only one new food at a timeMake it fun: present the food as a game or cut the food into unusual shapesServe new foods with favorite foods to increase acceptance

ContinuedEat the new food yourself; children love to imitateHave your child help to prepare foods. Often they will be more willing to try something when they helped make it.Limit beverages. Picky eaters often fill up on liquids instead.Limit snacks to two per dayLimiting SugarDont ban sweets entirely Give recipes a makeoverAvoid sugary drinksCut down on processed foodsCreate your own popsicles and frozen treats

Limiting SaltAvoid processed, packaged, restaurant, and fast foodOpt for fresh or frozen vegetablesCut back on salty snacksChoose low-salt or reduced-sodium products

Making Healthy Eating Child-FriendlyEven adults can have trouble keeping up with the latest healthy-eating guidelinesChoose My Plate encourages kids to make easy changes toward healthy eating

Resourceshttp://everydaylife.globalpost.com/importance-healthy-food-children-12305.htmlhttp://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_eating_children_teens.htmhttp://www.choosemyplate.gov/