Creating healthy habits in our kids is one of the most important tasks parents have today. But with determination and a little creative thinking, you can help your child build habits that will keep them happy and healthy all through life.
Tip #1: Swap Out the Sugar for healthier drinks and snacks. Swap out drinks like soda and sugary juices for water or natural fruit drinks. By establishing the difference between sugary foods and healthy foods, you are setting the basis for decision-making in the kitchen. Teach your child that choosing to eat healthy is the first step to being healthy throughout life.
Tip #2: Always Keep Active by planning out at least 60 minutes of physical activity for your child each day. A good way of doing this is capping your child’s “laze about” time to 2 hours at a time and putting active hours in between. Also, show them the relationship between diet and exercise by rewarding them with a healthy snack upon completion of their active hour. Turn exercise into an after school routine, or simply encourage them to play in the pool for a while, but always emphasize the importance of physical activity in your own everyday life.
Tip #3: Teach What to Eat for each meal of the day. Involve your child in grocery shopping for the week and help them plan out meals that satisfy your child’s appetite, but live up to your standard of healthy eating. Teach them to avoid things like fat, sugar, and too many carbs, and suggest healthy alternatives. Make fruits and veggies a must-have and include your child in picking out the vegetables that they most enjoy.
Tip #4: Serve Child-Sized Meals. It may seem like a constant juggling act, but try to feed your child a meal that is right for their size. You don’t want to give too little, but you don’t want to allow too much. Begin with small portions and refrain from nagging them to eat more, if they’ve had enough. Let your child ask you for more food. Remember, your child’s stomach isn’t the same size as an adult stomach, so serve accordingly. Also remember that packaging servings are intended for adults or sharing.
