Are You Giving Healthy Food Choices to Your Kids?

 

Do you think about the foods that you give to your kids? Healthy food choices should start early so then it may become a lifestyle.

What are Healthy Food Choices?

When you grocery shop, have you taken the time to observe what people are putting in their grocery carts? Try doing that one day. You will be amazed at some of the choices that parents are making.

The Farmer's Market

Pbs.org talks about teaching kids the source of where food comes from. They take it a step further by suggesting taking them to the Farmer's Market. I believe this is a great idea. I recall taking my grandchildren to the Farmer's Market. I was surprised when they picked out blackberries to purchase. Although I do not like blackberries, they love them.

Variety

Did you know that if you serve a variety of healthy foods, then your kids will have a larger selection to choose from? That is according to kidshealth.org. Granted they might not want all of the choices, but they may find one or two that they like. Everyone likes to have choices. They further suggest involving kids in meal planning and preparation. I observed that one of my grandchildren would watch me every time I prepared meals and even asked what were the ingredients to many of the meals that I prepared. It was then that I discovered that one of my grandchildren wants to be a chef.

Food Restrictions

Are you  a parent or do you know of a parent that places restrictions on their children s foods? According to Web MD that could cause eating disorders with children. They further suggests that instead of banning foods suggest healthy choices such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. In fact when I was a child, I always remember having fruits and vegetables available to me. I also remember going to the Farmer's Market and I loved going there. I recall my grandchildren telling me they can go over to one relatives house and candy is always around. I explained to my grandchildren I love you, but rather than candy, I will keep healthy choices such as fruits and vegetables. I was even amazed at some of the schools, some of the teachers give their students lots of candy as oppose to healthier choices. I was ecstatic when one principal shared with me that on student's birthday's instead of bringing cupcakes, and sweets, the students would come to the auditorium and do athletic activities to celebrate the birthday. I thought that was awesome.

Importance of Healthy Choices

I recall even though I offered healthy choices to my children, I had one child that was a picky eater and would always buy Taco Bell when she became a teenager.   The school did a health screening and requested a meeting with me informing me my child's cholesterol was off the charts and it was amazing she was still living. My child and I came in and they did nutritional counseling explaining even though Taco Bell, Burger King, and McDonald's are foods that we may like, they are loaded with the fats that encourage bad cholesterol. I say this because teenagers and adults may like fast food, but that type of eating needs to be done in moderation for the sake of you and your children's health.

What healthy food choices or meals do you offer to your kids?

Photo Caption: Commons, Wikimedia.org, National Cancer Institute, Public Domain

Source:

Encourage Kids to Eat Healthy Food

Healthy Eating, Mary L. Gavin, MD

Raising Food-Smart Kids, Jennifer Warner

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