| Parents and adults are given the responsibility of | | | | they can't turn their child's unhealthy eating around. |
| teaching children good eating habits. The first step in | | | | Balance is key. If you start slowly, and address one |
| teaching them is by eating healthy. A child mimics adult | | | | meal at a time, utilizing the suggestions above, healthier |
| behavior they see. If the adult influence in their young | | | | eating patterns can be established in a short time. |
| lives is eating vegetables and whole grains and | | | | Get your children out and get them active. A child |
| enjoying them, this increases the chance the child will | | | | exposed to sunshine ten to fifteen minutes several |
| also want to eat these foods. | | | | times a week will get a source of Vitamin D that is |
| Children need essential vitamins and minerals in their | | | | important to bone and teeth health. Keeping them |
| daily diets to ensure healthy growth. Vitamin D, Calcium, | | | | active on a regular basis also helps them maintain a |
| Iron and Zinc are all important. They ensure a child will | | | | healthy weight. |
| have healthy bones and growth patterns. | | | | We are all concerned our children do not get the |
| Another concern with children and nutrition is childhood | | | | proper amount of minerals and vitamins. Even if they |
| obesity. With the availability of bad food choices | | | | are eating a well rounded diet with varied foods and |
| surrounding them it is a growing issue in developed | | | | limited junk food, we still worry. Talk to your health |
| countries. The number one vegetable choice for | | | | care provider. Many times they will recommend the |
| children is the french fry. Teaching our kids to eat | | | | child take supplements. Food supplements will make |
| healthy is important in raising a healthy generation. | | | | certain your child gets the recommended daily |
| Children who make bad choices and become obese | | | | allowance of nutrients the AAP, American Association |
| may encounter many health issues while growing up | | | | of Pediatrics recommend. |
| and into adulthood. | | | | The health of our growing children should be a priority. |
| Have your child help with the menu. Children who play | | | | That they receive the daily nutrients they need for |
| an active role in making the decisions on healthy food | | | | strong bodies and minds is key to raising healthy kids. |
| choices will more willingly eat healthy. Explain to them | | | | Teach them to try different foods. Lead by example |
| the benefits of healthy eating in terms they can | | | | and eat health foods yourself. Limit the junk food and |
| understand. Children are intelligent. They want more | | | | fast foods consumed, and watch liquids that contain |
| than candy is bad for you. Explain to them the | | | | sugar as these are liquid calories and many have very |
| importance of nutrition and their growing bodies on a | | | | little if any nutrition. |
| level they can grasp. | | | | Get involved in your child's food choices. As they get |
| Do not totally outlaw unhealthy food. We all know | | | | older they will make more of these decisions on their |
| when things are forbidden they are desired even | | | | own. Giving them a strong foundation to make the right |
| more. We need to teach our children moderation. | | | | choices can help make a dramatic difference in the |
| Eating healthy can be a huge source of frustration if | | | | health they enjoy as they grow. |
| we let it escalate to that point. Some parents think | | | | |