Healthy Eating Habits for Your Child
By teaching your children healthy eating habits and modeling these behaviors in yourself, you can help your child maintain a healthy weight and normal
growth. In addition, the eating
habits of your children pick up
when they are young will help them maintain a healthy
lifestyle when they are adults.
The health care provider can assess your child's weight and growth of your child and let you know if your child needs to lose or gain weight or dietary changes should be made.
The health care provider can assess your child's weight and growth of your child and let you know if your child needs to lose or gain weight or dietary changes should be made.
Some of the
most important aspects of a healthy diet are portion control and reducing the
amount of fat your child eats. Simple ways to reduce fat intake in the diet of
your child and foster a healthy weight include Service:
fatty dairy products low in fat or
skinless poultry
cuts of meat
breads and whole grains
Also, reduce the amount of sugar in soft drinks and salt in the diet of your child.
If you are not sure how to choose and prepare a variety of foods for your family, consult a dietitian for nutrition counseling.
It is important that you do not put your child overweight (s) on a restrictive diet. Children should never be placed on a restrictive diet to lose weight unless a doctor supervises one for medical reasons.
Other approaches parents can take to develop healthy eating habits in their children include:
Guide the choice of your family rather than dictate foods. Make a variety of healthy foods available in the house. This practice will help your children learn to make healthy food choices. Let unhealthy choices like soda and juice at the grocery store. Serve water with meals.
Encourage your children to eat slowly. A child can detect hunger and fullness better when eating slowly. Before offering a second helping or serving, ask your child to wait a few minutes to see if they are really still hungry. This will give the brain time to register fullness.
Eat meals together as often as possible. Try to make nice meal with conversation and sharing, not a time for scolding or arguing. If meals are unpleasant, children may try to eat faster to leave the table as soon as possible. They can then learn to associate eating with stress.
Involve your children in food shopping and meal preparation. These activities will give you information about food preferences of your children the opportunity to teach your children about nutrition, and provide your children with a sense of accomplishment. In addition, children may be more willing to eat or try foods they help prepare.
Plan for snacks. Continuous snacking may lead to overeating, but snacks that are planned at specific times of the day can be part of a nutritious diet, without spoiling a child's appetite at mealtime. You should make snacks as nutritious as possible, without depriving your child of occasional chips or cookies, especially at parties or other social events.
Discourage meals or snacks while watching TV. Try to eat only in designated areas of your home such as the dining room or kitchen. Eating while watching TV can make it difficult to pay attention to the feeling of fullness and can lead to overeating.
Encourage your children to drink more water. Over consumption of sugary drinks and sodas has been linked to increased rates of obesity in children.
Try not to use food to punish or reward your children. Withholding food as a punishment may lead children to worry about not getting enough food. For example, send the kids to bed without dinner may cause them to worry that they will suffer from hunger. As a result, children may try to eat when they get a chance. Similarly, when foods, such as sweets are used as a reward, children may think that these foods are better or more valuable than other foods. For example, tell the children that they will get dessert if they eat all their vegetables sends the wrong message about vegetables.
Make sure your children's meals outside the home are balanced. To learn more about the school lunch program, or prepare their meals to include a variety of foods. Also, select healthier items when in restaurants.
Pay attention to portion sizes and ingredients. Read food labels and limit foods with trans fats. Also, make sure you use the appropriate party as indicated on the label.
fatty dairy products low in fat or
skinless poultry
cuts of meat
breads and whole grains
Also, reduce the amount of sugar in soft drinks and salt in the diet of your child.
If you are not sure how to choose and prepare a variety of foods for your family, consult a dietitian for nutrition counseling.
It is important that you do not put your child overweight (s) on a restrictive diet. Children should never be placed on a restrictive diet to lose weight unless a doctor supervises one for medical reasons.
Other approaches parents can take to develop healthy eating habits in their children include:
Guide the choice of your family rather than dictate foods. Make a variety of healthy foods available in the house. This practice will help your children learn to make healthy food choices. Let unhealthy choices like soda and juice at the grocery store. Serve water with meals.
Encourage your children to eat slowly. A child can detect hunger and fullness better when eating slowly. Before offering a second helping or serving, ask your child to wait a few minutes to see if they are really still hungry. This will give the brain time to register fullness.
Eat meals together as often as possible. Try to make nice meal with conversation and sharing, not a time for scolding or arguing. If meals are unpleasant, children may try to eat faster to leave the table as soon as possible. They can then learn to associate eating with stress.
Involve your children in food shopping and meal preparation. These activities will give you information about food preferences of your children the opportunity to teach your children about nutrition, and provide your children with a sense of accomplishment. In addition, children may be more willing to eat or try foods they help prepare.
Plan for snacks. Continuous snacking may lead to overeating, but snacks that are planned at specific times of the day can be part of a nutritious diet, without spoiling a child's appetite at mealtime. You should make snacks as nutritious as possible, without depriving your child of occasional chips or cookies, especially at parties or other social events.
Discourage meals or snacks while watching TV. Try to eat only in designated areas of your home such as the dining room or kitchen. Eating while watching TV can make it difficult to pay attention to the feeling of fullness and can lead to overeating.
Encourage your children to drink more water. Over consumption of sugary drinks and sodas has been linked to increased rates of obesity in children.
Try not to use food to punish or reward your children. Withholding food as a punishment may lead children to worry about not getting enough food. For example, send the kids to bed without dinner may cause them to worry that they will suffer from hunger. As a result, children may try to eat when they get a chance. Similarly, when foods, such as sweets are used as a reward, children may think that these foods are better or more valuable than other foods. For example, tell the children that they will get dessert if they eat all their vegetables sends the wrong message about vegetables.
Make sure your children's meals outside the home are balanced. To learn more about the school lunch program, or prepare their meals to include a variety of foods. Also, select healthier items when in restaurants.
Pay attention to portion sizes and ingredients. Read food labels and limit foods with trans fats. Also, make sure you use the appropriate party as indicated on the label.
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