Many parents struggle to know which foods are healthy for their children. When they are able to opt for healthy choices, about two-thirds struggle to get their children to eat healthily, a poll of nearly 800 parents found. Developing Patient Partnerships (DPP), which commissioned the survey, said that parents need more support to tackle the growing problem of childhood obesity. Childhood obesity has tripled in the past 20 years, official figures show.
Recent studies suggest that parents do not know what good nutrition is. Perhaps advertising of fast foods, and busy life styles has contributed to this. Nutritional meals can be prepared quickly and simply at home.
Of the parents of children aged 15 years and younger questioned by the DPP, 45% said they found it difficult to work out which foods were healthy for their children. When parents did select healthy foods, 65% said they struggled to motivate their children to eat it. Three-quarters of parents blamed advertising and marketing of unhealthy snacks and drinks for making this job so difficult. Another 87% believed that schools should play a big role in teaching children how to be healthy.
When more than a thousand children aged seven to 16 were questioned about their lifestyles, 70% said they would be more likely to eat healthily and get active if their parents were doing it. Only 16% said they ate the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables per day. This suggests that parents are not making healthy food choices themselves. There are strong links between obesity and ill health. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare lists the following increased risks of cancers in obese people:
Men Women Cancer % Increase Risk Cancer %increase Risk Prostate 23 Uterus 178 Leukaemia 43 Kidney 110 Bowel 53 Bowel 35 Liver 128 Liver 48 Gallbladder 76 Breast 71
Statistics such as these are a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining a healthy weight level. Children must be given every opportunity to have a healthy body. In order to get their family on track to a healthy lifestyle parents need to learn how to feed themselves and their family good nutrition.
A simple way to improve nutrition is to add raw fruit and vegetables to family diets. These are foods that have no preservatives or added color. They provide plenty of vitamins, mineral, antioxidants, fiber, water and trace elements. (All necessary for good nutrition.) They look appetizing and have high water content. They have a firm texture which means we need to chew them well. This aids the digestive system. The body quickly and easily processes them. This means less work for the digestive system. They are natural, that is, not processed and pre-packaged with extra chemicals. They are pure energy ? living foods. Look for different colored vegetables and fruits when you shop. Experiment with ones you have never tasted. Visit a market for more variety and fresher foods. Eat at least one from each group every day.
Red/Purple Group includes tomatoes, watermelon, berries, cherries, and grapes
Orange/Yellow includes carrots, sweet potato, squash, mangoes, cantaloupe, apricots, oranges, mandarins pineapples and many stone fruits
Yellow/green among this group are avocado, spinach, beans, peppers, corn, beans, broccoli, green leafy vegetables,
White/green some in this group asparagus, celery, garlic, leeks, mushrooms, pears
For more information read, "What Color is Your Food" by Dr D Heber.
Experiment with adding these to your daily diet. Of course a balanced diet must also include daily servings of dairy, whole grains and protein. Start with the simple idea of adding more fresh fruit and vegetables to the family's daily food intake. This simple step will have fantastic and long lasting impact on your health.
Cheryl Haining is a skin care, body shape and nutrition coach. She has her own successful business. Her mission statement is to ensure everyone reaches his or her optimum body shape, size and condition. Contact Cheryl at http://www.uloseweight.net. To learn how to create an income stream from home visit http://www.uloseweight.net.
car service from Midway Burlington .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareThe legend and myth of the Tooth Fairy is a... Read More
Being a parent is a role that requires a large... Read More
Salon visits can be scary experiences for small children: They... Read More
Your daughter tells you that Uncle Charley has touched her... Read More
A common theme over the past 20 years has been... Read More
Teens can freely access the Internet from computers at school,... Read More
Any parent whose baby has suffered from colic can tell... Read More
ADHD comes in differenty forms, or types. What... Read More
In this form of treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder... Read More
So your little Susie wants to join a competitive gymnastic... Read More
What should the goals for counseling be when the patient... Read More
Throughout the year, many days of celebration are tucked capriciously... Read More
What are the easiest things citizens can do to prevent... Read More
We are all so very happy to see that the... Read More
What you say and do about money has a profound... Read More
Reading to your child at a young age is one... Read More
It was at that time when our marriage was falling... Read More
Plus size children and overweight children need patterns and clothing... Read More
Fizzy sherbet in a paper bag with a strawberry lollipop... Read More
The First Reason: For one thing, child development experts are... Read More
On a recent Saturday evening, I noticed a young teen-age... Read More
Children are moral and make moral determinations... at least until... Read More
Whenever parents discuss how to deal with bed wetting, the... Read More
It is not the divorce but the conflict arising after... Read More
Hope, excitement and anxiety all wrapped up in fresh haircuts... Read More
Granger limo Chicago ..Recess has begun disappearing in states all around the country.... Read More
Wooden toys are one of the best alternatives for the... Read More
Have you ever had this struggle with your teens? Did... Read More
Q. I don't like my children spending so much time... Read More
Do you ever wonder what is behind the occasional nasty... Read More
Can you draw a straight line? Most adults don't consider... Read More
There are software programs that you can purchase to keep... Read More
Teachers know that children thrive in an environment with routines,... Read More
Successful families don't just happen. They take time, talent and... Read More
Bedtime and children's sleep habits can cause nightmares - for... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Here are some things that you can do to help... Read More
Does music need to be "dumbed-down" for kids? The answer... Read More
Criticism is punitiveOur children judge themselves on the opinions we... Read More
It happens every year. Just when you are settled in... Read More
In his recent newsletter "Happy Kids", parenting expert Michael Grose... Read More
As part of the whole-language (or "balanced") reading-instruction philosophy, many... Read More
The girl's jaw dropped in horror as the police officer... Read More
Checking accounts are an absolute necessity these days. You can... Read More
In June, elementary school children across North America cheered as... Read More
While youth gangs are nothing new -- they've been traced... Read More
When we talk about attention, we are talking about two... Read More
"How many times do I have to tell you to... Read More
It is so important to create an environment that promotes... Read More
It's among the top criticism wives have of their husbands:... Read More
Parenting |