Raise a Healthy Kid with a Healthy Weight

Adults are responsible for Positive Eating Habits in their Children

Parents, grandparents and caretakers are accountable for the healthy weight of young children. 

Some tips to ease your burden include:       

• Be the role model for healthy eating and activity habits        
• Keep the dining environment cheerful and positive        
• Restrict screen time        
• Get your whole family involved in some physical activity        
• Help children have a positive body image        
• Never impose diet restrictions and stringent exercise schedules. 

Parents should follow the same principles of nutrition and fitness regardless of the weight of their children. It is not mandatory that skinny kids are bound to lead a healthy lifestyle with nutritious eating habits and overweight kids are sure to land up with diabetes or heart disease.

Health is beyond the world of numbers. It includes consuming nutrient-rich foods and a variety of other activities for strength, flexibility and aerobic capacity.

Never put your Kid onto a Diet by yourself

Following restrictive diets or inflicting complicated exercise routines usually does more harm than good, in the case of children. A three-year study of middle-school kids showed dieters to weigh more than non-dieters and these dieters were more likely to succumb to disorganised eating behaviours. In short, never put your child onto a diet schedule without consulting your doctor or nutritionist/dietitian.

Adults can help children develop positive eating habits. Follow the strategies given below to stay on a healthy weight:        

• Play together: Kids require 60 minutes of physical activity daily. A game of Frisbee or hopscotch is going to be fun for them and fun for you too.         

• Eat together frequently: This has its own set of advantages and promotes your family’s health, happiness and finances. Moreover, homemade dinners are cheaper than dining out and can be prepared easily than what you presume.        

• Track portion sizes while dining out: Restaurant meals, especially fast foods, are loaded with calories, fat and sugar. Try to choose healthy foods outside too. For instance, you can select nutritious foods such as low-fat milk or a fruit along with your kid’s meal. 

• Fill half your plate with fruits and veggies: Eat rainbow coloured produce daily. Munch on crunchy and delicious produce at meals and snacks. Fresh, dried, frozen or canned, any form of production is good for health.       

• Choose healthy beverages: Drink low-fat milk along with your meals for strong bones and healthy weight. Water can be consumed with snacks. Avoid sugary and alcoholic beverages.        

• Avoid electronic gadgets in bedrooms. Kids who sleep peacefully for an adequate number of hours through the nightstand a better chance in maintaining a healthy weight. Hence, it is wise to refrain from fixing television or allowing video games in your kid’s bedroom.