Mothers are constantly trying to find sources that help to ensure better health for their children. Encouraging the young ones to eat healthy food from an early age helps them to make healthy choices as they get older.
Parents should also ensure that children get the right vitamins and minerals in their diet which helps them to grow and develop optimally.
Good health is not an overnight achievement. It is the outcome of super simple habits that one needs to follow since early childhood.
Junk food makes your child addictive…
Junk food is so attractive and appetizing that it fascinates people of any age group and when it comes to children they are more intimidated towards it.
Regularly consuming rich junk food can be addictive for children.
Regularly consuming rich junk food can be addictive for children and will lead to complications in mental and physical health like obesity, depression, chronic illness, and also their academic performance and extra-curricular activities will drop down.
Super simple habits for a healthy body and mind
Children eating junk food such as pizza, wafers, tangy chips often lack concentration. Before introducing any good eating habits in our kids, as a parent one needs to understand some super, simple habits that a child needs to inculcate for a healthy lifestyle:
1.Having a healthy breakfast
It is important for parents to ensure that kids have a healthy and nutritious breakfast at a right time because it’s their growing period and skipping breakfast or just consuming junks, would hinder their growth and leave them at a risk of malnutrition.
2.Refraining from over-eating
Children always consume a large amount of food they are fond of, which has to BE avoided, because obesity and sluggishness develop due to over-eating. Parents should also teach kids about a balanced diet which will help them maintain good health in future too.
3.Practicing planned snacking
As parents, it’s important to plan healthy snacking options for the kids. Continuous snacking may lead to overeating, but snacks that are planned at specified intervals during the day can be healthy and easily digestible too.
Mothers should also keep plenty of fruits, veggies, healthy beverages like coconut water, fruit drinks and flavoured milk handy at home that can be a substitute for their chips or cookies.
4.Consuming plenty of fluids
Generally, children need to drink 12-15 glasses of water a day to keep themselves hydrated. Drinking ample amount of water every day would assist in eliminating toxins from the body and most importantly fluids help in regulating body temperature. Also, make sure they avoid consuming sugary drinks that are high in calories.
5.Engaging in physical activities and exercises
Children of this age are technology driven and tend to spend most of their time on mobile phones and video games than playing outdoor. Encourage your child to take up a hobby or get involved in a sport.
An hour of physical activity every day is recommended for children. This will work up a healthy appetite and also keep your child energetic and fit.
At the end, it’s the parents who have the most influence on children’s eating habits. Establishing and maintaining healthy habits is one of the best gifts you can give to your children.
They need encouragement from parents and other significant adults to develop healthy habits and attitudes. As a parent, you will be teaching them to make the healthiest choice, which will impact their health for a lifetime.
Republished with permission from: theIndusparent
Also read: Tips to ensure the proper emotional development of a child