Roadblocks To a Healthy Diet For Kids – Part I
By Jeff
What does a typical day look like for your child? Does he go to school? Is he in daycare? Do you stay home with him?
Unless your child never leaves the house and has no interaction with other people, you are not the only one influencing him.
You may have all your ducks in a row, but outside influences could hinder any progress in your child’s weight loss. Even if you are a stay-at-home parent, your child likely spends time with grandparents, friends, or a babysitter.
In many cases, these people want to please your child so they willingly feed them whatever they want.
I know a child who loves to visit her grandparents. The minute she walks in the door she immediately asks, “Grandpa, do you have any fudgesicles?”
She’s been trained to connect Grandpa’s house with fudgesicles because he always has them. At one visit she had FIVE fudgesicles during her two day stay. I’m guessing the grandparents didn’t realize that this cold treat has at least four MSG ingredients.
Your bank or grocery store may also contribute to the enabling of your child’s poor eating habits. Every time I visit the bank they generously give my kids a sucker, even if they’re too young to eat one. My grocer’s bakery offers children a free cookie at each visit.
It’s easy for kids to associate desserts with simple, everyday errands. When it comes to outside influences, it’s easy for parents to say, “There’s nothing I can do about it.” But that’s not true. You are the parent and you are still responsible for them.
I am here to help you make sure outside influences aren’t hindering your child’s health. It’s best if we take one situation at a time.
School’s Influence on a Healthy Diet For Kids
This appears to be a major challenge because your child is on their own for most of the day. You are not there to make them choose healthy options during snack and lunch time.
But you shouldn’t throw your arms up and admit defeat. After all, school children eat at least one-third of their daily food in a cafeteria or classroom.
There are easy steps to ensure your child is eating as healthy as possible when they’re away from you. First, pack a lunch for them. This way you know exactly what they’re getting.
School lunches are notoriously not the best foods for children. Even the vegetables can be smothered with salt and butter.
Also, if children have a choice, they are likely to forego vegetables and choose a less healthy option. Instead of green beans with their spaghetti, they may choose chips or a cookie.
Their own lunch from home is better because then you know exactly what they’re eating, especially if you tell them to bring their leftovers home.
Your child may have the opportunity to get a snack during their school day (in addition to lunch). Each school is different so it’s possible they provide healthy snacks, such as fruit.
Talk to your child or their teacher to find out for sure. If it’s possible for you to provide your child’s own snack, that would be a wise choice. Talk to their teacher about your desire to make your child healthier and see how they’re willing to help.
The teacher may be willing to only offer good choices to your child. They may even be willing to encourage your child to eat healthy foods at lunch.
It’s also good to talk with your children about the food choices they make during the day. Ask them what they had for lunch. Don’t scold them for making bad choices, but teach them the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods.
Explain to them why it would be better for them if they choose healthy foods. Good foods will help them focus better during the day and give them energy to play when school is over.
It will also help if you make sure they eat a good, filling breakfast each day before school. You’ve probably heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Make sure it’s not a breakfast full of sugar or they might have trouble paying attention during class.
Finally, if your child still eats poorly at school, the best way to combat that is at home. Make sure that while they are with you they only eat healthy foods. If they had a brownie at lunch, there should be no dessert with dinner.
Here’s a no nag way to help your kids eat healthier. www.myfamilyexercise.com/the-no-nag-way-to-have-healthy-eating-for-kids.html.
Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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