Overweight Kids
With the rise in childhood obesity, preventing childhood obesity is an important goal for all parents. Many kids today consume too many calories and get too little exercise, which can result in some of these growing up to be overweight or obese adults with major medical problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer. As a parent it is important to try and provide your children with a good foundation in healthy eating and exercise so they don't become overweight. One of the best ways to do this is to set a good example. If your kids see you enjoying nutritious dinners, they'll be likely to repeat your behaviour. So keep these tips in mind for your health and the health of your children:
Prepare well-balanced meals.
Try and choose from a variety of food groups (meat, vegetables, fruits and grains). An all-in-one meal like a stir-fry that includes meat, vegetables and rice can be great as well as save you time.
Don't skip breakfast.
Make sure you and your child start each day with a healthy breakfast. Choose cereals with low-fat milk, whole-grain toast with a spread or low-fat yogurt with fresh fruit. Oats is a great option as it contains all the essential goodness you need.
Have healthy snacks handy and ready for your kids to eat.
Fresh fruit, yogurt, cheese, raisins, nuts etc are great to have readily available for your children to snack on. Keep low-fat milk, fruit juices and a pitcher of water in the fridge for refreshment anytime.
Limit but still enjoy dessert.
Make a fruit or low fat dessert as a once-in-a-while treat. Sorbets are a great alternative to ice-cream.
Regular exercise and physical activity.
Get the whole family involved in physical fitness Go on a family bike ride, play catch, swim in the pool, visit the zoo or even take your dog for a walk to the local park.
Encouraging your family to follow a healthy lifestyle will benefit everyone...and lead to healthy kids who grow up to be healthy adults.
Prepare well-balanced meals.
Try and choose from a variety of food groups (meat, vegetables, fruits and grains). An all-in-one meal like a stir-fry that includes meat, vegetables and rice can be great as well as save you time.
Don't skip breakfast.
Make sure you and your child start each day with a healthy breakfast. Choose cereals with low-fat milk, whole-grain toast with a spread or low-fat yogurt with fresh fruit. Oats is a great option as it contains all the essential goodness you need.
Have healthy snacks handy and ready for your kids to eat.
Fresh fruit, yogurt, cheese, raisins, nuts etc are great to have readily available for your children to snack on. Keep low-fat milk, fruit juices and a pitcher of water in the fridge for refreshment anytime.
Limit but still enjoy dessert.
Make a fruit or low fat dessert as a once-in-a-while treat. Sorbets are a great alternative to ice-cream.
Regular exercise and physical activity.
Get the whole family involved in physical fitness Go on a family bike ride, play catch, swim in the pool, visit the zoo or even take your dog for a walk to the local park.
Encouraging your family to follow a healthy lifestyle will benefit everyone...and lead to healthy kids who grow up to be healthy adults.