| The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | | | | life, then it is going to be easy for a child to follow suit |
| promotes a healthy lifestyle of eating five portions of | | | | and develop those same eating habits. We are |
| fruits & veggies each day. 5 A day is a slogan | | | | bombarded with junk food advertisements |
| that sounds great, but how can we actually integrate | | | | everywhere. It seems that after we have children, |
| this into a child's life? | | | | we simply forget or alter our eating habits to match |
| Imagine a day in a child's life - from their waking | | | | our lives with children. |
| moment to the time they close their eyes to sleep. | | | | For example, fast food and eating on the go are more |
| Besides the CDC's 5 A Day program, I don’t know | | | | convenient. We ignore the fact that they cause |
| anyone else speaking about healthy eating for children. | | | | damage to our own bodies and to the welfare of our |
| I don’t hear any radio commercials about a healthy | | | | children. Instead of us instilling good eating habits in our |
| diet for children or fruits and vegetables as part of | | | | children, we take shortcuts, dropping by for a sausage |
| their daily nutrition. 5 A Day is a CDC slogan that in | | | | and egg biscuit on the way to work or picking up pizza |
| reality is very impractical to incorporate into our lives. | | | | for dinner. I understand that most of us are always |
| So what do we do about the increase in childhood | | | | on the go and it is difficult to cook meals regularly. |
| obesity and all the health issues that children face | | | | But there are tons and tons of activities we choose |
| these days? Autism, allergies, skin issues, weak | | | | over spending time in the kitchen. |
| immune systems – the list goes on and on. | | | | With two parents working to support the family, it is |
| In the beginning, there was "the pregnant mom". It is | | | | even more difficult to control what children eat |
| fully understood that healthy eating for children begins | | | | throughout the day. Bad habits set in and become |
| in the womb. Whatever foods mom is attracted to | | | | normal, slowly consuming children’s health. |
| consistently throughout the pregnancy, the child is more | | | | Children eat fast foods, even come to school with it, |
| likely to gravitate to after birth. | | | | because it is convenient for parents. We teach children |
| Everyone has a great understanding about fruit and | | | | that this is normal. Fast food should be eaten on rare |
| vegetable nutrition and their benefits for children; | | | | occasions only and not be served on a regular basis. |
| however, many don't place importance on developing | | | | Healthy eating is not a fad. It is not to be a once in a |
| good eating habits throughout pregnancy. We talk | | | | while treat. 5 A Day and eating healthy must |
| about supplements and specific foods that are | | | | become a habitual part of our lifestyle. Ultimately, our |
| important to eat for a healthy child’s development, | | | | health and our quality of life depend on it. When we |
| but we never educate pregnant moms on healthy, | | | | choose healthy eating and healthy living, we extend our |
| balanced and nutritious meals. If we did so, then the | | | | quality of life and extend our ability to live a normal |
| milk produced by the mother would be so much more | | | | life. All of this starts with a simple change in our |
| balanced and rich in disease-preventing, immune-building | | | | eating habits. |
| essentials. | | | | If we can't incorporate healthy eating into our daily lives, |
| A balanced meal through mother's milk would support | | | | we are going to have a very difficult time repairing all |
| a stronger immune system and minimize doctor visits | | | | the damage caused by our actions. Fruits and veggies |
| and illnesses. Eating healthy meals in this way builds | | | | play a big role in keeping our bodies’ cells healthy |
| children’s immune systems before birth, but also | | | | and in neutralizing the free radicals in our bodies. 5 A |
| gives children the ability to accept healthier meals after | | | | Day should not just be a slogan, it is a fact. Making five |
| birth. | | | | servings of fruits and vegetable a regular part of our |
| Children learn from their parents and their environment. | | | | lives leads to healthier parents, children, and families. |
| If you incorporate more healthy eating habits into your | | | | |