| With the modern day lifestyle characterized by having | | | | in the house at all times is important in order to |
| so many things to do but such limited time to do them, | | | | manage these snack times. Instead of cookies, have |
| slipping into habits that require less effort and time to | | | | fruits and green veggies for salad available. Further, |
| do but that seem to meet the end objective is ever so | | | | having a variety of fruits instead of just one type is |
| tempting. Little wonder that today's culture is touted as | | | | great in drawing children's attention. Oranges, apples, |
| the age where 'instant' is all the rage. Probably nothing | | | | bananas, raspberries, strawberries and many other |
| illustrates this point better than the popularity of fast | | | | types of fruits all provide that rich array of colors that |
| foods and other popular but poor diets. Other than the | | | | will keep them interested. |
| effect this has on adults, there is an even bigger | | | | For school going children, a change in approach may |
| problem: the eating habits of children. And the evidence | | | | be required. This is more so where the child eats lunch |
| is not that difficult to see what with the growing | | | | at school. If this is the case, go through the types of |
| number of obese children. | | | | meals the children are served. Even though there are |
| In order to ingrain positive lifelong eating habits in | | | | schools that are proactive as far as the types of |
| children, it is important that one start early. Habits that | | | | foods children in their care eat, this is not necessarily |
| we learn when we are young are crucial in shaping | | | | the case across the board so you cannot afford to |
| what we will do when we are adults. That is why as a | | | | take any chances. If you find that the school's meal |
| parent, one must deliberately and creatively set out to | | | | plan does not provide the healthiest diet for your child, |
| encourage healthy eating habits in their children. But | | | | consider preparing packed lunch for your child carry to |
| what is interesting is that even the diet of a mother | | | | school. In any case, even where the meals are of a |
| while pregnant and when lactating influences the kind | | | | good standard, you could incorporate packed lunch for |
| of foods the child will prefer. If the mother leans | | | | your children twice or thrice a week. |
| towards sugary, fat concentrated or junk foods in | | | | Finally, one of the most powerful ways through which |
| general, the child will likewise have a preference for | | | | children learn is observation especially observation of |
| 'sweet' foods. | | | | their parents. Encouraging children to eat healthy meals |
| One cannot advise in that which they do not | | | | while they observe their parents eating non healthy |
| understand. Therefore, as a parent, it is important that | | | | foods is not sustainable in the long term. It will actually |
| you take steps to know the types of foods that are | | | | drive them towards unhealthy food as they will |
| healthy for your child. Remember that children will | | | | subconsciously interpret such foods as a sign of |
| usually eat that which is most readily available and | | | | adulthood and independence. Each person in the family |
| often this might not be during standard meal times. | | | | must be involved in order for the healthy diet to have |
| Ensuring that there is a ready supply of healthy foods | | | | an effect in the long term. |