Tips For Explaining Healthy Eating to a Child
What kid doesn’t want to learn about healthy eating? Kids start learning about this when they are young. You can either make it fun or you can get them involved in some healthy eating lessons. For example, your child can learn the value of eating right from the start.
1. Low Fat and Calories In Fruits/ Veggies
Most kids are naturally interested in vegetables. Vegetables are a good source of fiber and nutrients. In fact, fruits are better than vegetables in terms of nutrients because they come directly from the earth. Fruits and veggies are also low in fat and calories making them the perfect food for kids.
2. Food Choice To Pick
But don’t go overboard with your kids eating habits. Just like adults, they need to be on a certain diet to stay healthy. If your child is not yet old enough to choose his own food, then you should do it for him. Give him some healthy food choices to pick from. You can start him off with fruits and vegetables. It’s okay to have different flavors of ice cream, cookies, doughnuts and chocolates as long as he is not choosing a chocolate chip cookie.
3. Low Fat Yogurt
It’s also okay to start him off with foods that are low in fat. He may not like them at first but he will probably get over it in time. One of these healthy food for kids’ choices is low fat yogurt. This healthy food for kids is made from probiotic cultures that have a beneficial effect on the intestinal tract. It also contains live bacteria that can help build the immune system of your child.
4. Important Nutrient Of Protein
For kids, protein is an important nutrient. They need it for proper growth and development. But there are many kinds of protein, which can cause problems when taken in large amounts. Fortunately, there are healthy options for kids. Yogurt is one of them. Other options include lean beef or chicken meat, fish, egg whites, and beans.
5. Importance Of All Natural Ingredients
The next tip in explaining healthy eating to a child is to emphasize the importance of all natural ingredients. Instead of using butter, sugar and other unhealthy fats, use healthy oils like olive oil, canola, soybean oil and others. Some examples are canola, wheat germ oil and walnuts. These healthy oils are easy to cook and they don’t spoil.
6. Colorful and Tasty Meals
Children tend to eat a lot of sweet stuffs. Parents should help them understand that these are not good options for their children. Stick to low calorie and low fat desserts and foods. And remember to make healthy eating fun by preparing colorful and tasty meals together.
7. Get Child Help In Meal Preparation
When you’re done explaining healthy eating to a child, the best thing to do is to get down to doing it. Try making your own meal. Or have your child help you plan a healthy dinner. Your kid will enjoy the process and you will be assured that the meal is as nutritious as it can be.
8. Sweet Tooth Health Problem
Kids tend to have a sweet tooth even when they’re very young. And this sweet tooth can lead to a number of health problems. It’s important to teach a child how to keep his plate full and avoid overeating because he will then become susceptible to other food related problems like obesity, heart problems, diabetes and related chronic diseases.
9. Mix Vegetables With Meat/ Fruits
So, what about vegetables? When we eat healthy eating meals, we usually include vegetables in the menu. Don’t be afraid to mix vegetables with meat or fruits. This is because vegetables contain vitamins and minerals that your child needs to grow well.
10. Never Skip Breakfast For Kids
Finally, never skip breakfast or lunch. Kids are hungry and they need their daily nutritional requirements. Even if you’re running out to the store for the latest superfood, your child is still going to ask for more. Introduce fruit juice into the equation by serving your child some fresh strawberries or banana with some low-fat yogurt. If you’re not sure how to do this, ask your child what he prefers. Fruit juices taste good and the added benefit of having extra vitamin C can help ward off colds and other health concerns.
These are just a few ideas on healthy eating for kids. There are plenty more out there. The key is to start young and introduce healthy eating into the daily routine early on. That way, your child will be less likely to turn out to be overweight or obese as an adult. Just follow these tips for now and show your child that you love him/her!
