One fantastic way to get your children involved in what they are eating, is to have them help. A great way to start is to let them make up their lunch for the next day. Obviously you will need to set some guidelines. For example, when I turned 9 I was allowed to make up my own lunch. In my girlfriends' houses they were 10 and in some others 11. However, we all felt very important and grown up that we were allowed to make up our own lunch. Again, my mom had certain guidelines. We had to pick a lunch meat, fruit or yogurt and bread to put it on (white, wheat, rye or a roll; today wraps are another alternative). As I got older however, I cut down to a half sandwich as I found I didn't always finish a full sandwich. I continue to eat lunch this way today, a half sandwich and some fruit.
Large meals make people full and sleepy, and they cut down on employee's productiveness. Think of what large meals do to your children at school. We want our children alert so that they can learn, not falling asleep at their desks, so let's keep those lunches on the lighter side. You can do this if you provide them with a good breakfast.
By working beside your children and discussing what they eat for lunch (healthy protein, fruit, veggie and healthy carbs) you are helping them to understand the importance of whole foods and the avoidance of junk foods. You are helping them to learn and make smart informed choices and as they get older these good habits will stay with them. They will learn that these types of food will help them feel better and look better, give them more energy. Try to drop the phrase healthy foods from your vocabulary and let them see that the food choices they are making will help them feel so much better. Put the emphasis on how their body is feeling and all the energy they have rather than "that food is bad for you, why don't you eat this healthy food".
I know of one family that actually had the food pyramid on their bulletin board in their kitchen and it helped them to pick out what foods they wanted. Their mom actually let them help plan not only their lunch meals, but the meals during the week also. Everyone got a chance to decide what to eat on certain nights. Again, however, the caveats were there about food choices. They had to pick a protein, vegetable, carbohydrate and fruit. By keeping the food pyramid handy her kids got to see what was available. I also remember her taking out pictures of the various meats (beef, pork, chicken) so they could see what they looked like. In addition, she had a book available with recipes of chicken and rice, corn beef and cabbage, standing rib roast, etc. The book also had the different kinds of vegetables and recipes for different ways to prepare them. It also included different types of salads, lunch meats, breads and fruits. All of the recipes had pictures of what the food looked like. She usually baked a cake or pie over the weekend and they got to have a dessert other than fruit, Jell-O, pudding or fruit cup on Saturday and Sunday.
Unlike today, when we grew up we played outside, rode our bikes, ran around, roller skated, and the list goes on and on. We didn't have computers or computer games. So in addition to the above healthy eating choices you need to plan some activities for your children today other than the television or video games. This is a topic however, for a future article.
Copyright 2005, DeFiore Enterprises
Introducing Keep Kids Fit: A How To Guide For Setting Up And Running Your Own Business In One Year Or Less! Solutions for parents who want healthy children in body and mind! Our motto, "Eat Healthy, Live Healthy, Help Keep Kids Fit" Keep Kids Fit asks the question: Do You Want To Help Foster A Healthy Lifestyle For Your Child! If you answered yes, then visit our web blog at: http://hbsblogs.typepad.com/keepkidsfit/ and visit our website today at: http://hbsblogs.typepad.com/keepkidsfit/
tidy up service Glenview ..Criticism is punitiveOur children judge themselves on the opinions we... Read More
Did you know that over 75% of teens aged 16-17... Read More
Research literature, recent books, and common sense, all point to... Read More
Did you know that inconsistency on matters of discipline gives... Read More
Get into their world. The world that teens are growing... Read More
Fall marks the beginning of many new things both for... Read More
Sometimes a change of perspective can make a huge difference... Read More
Teaching kids to deal with conflict effectively and peacefully is... Read More
Before my daughter was born my house was... Read More
To the untrained eye, it might look like a piece... Read More
In our last article about the neurology of ADHD we... Read More
You need to smart to be able influence adolescents. You... Read More
Most teens go into the work world ill-prepared to manage... Read More
I remember when my daughter was born. Visions of her... Read More
Children are moral and make moral determinations... at least until... Read More
Anyone can splurge on a formal dinner or a pricey... Read More
As a hypnotherapist, I am acutely aware of the power... Read More
Looking for an unusual and memorable gift? Why not preserve... Read More
Economist John Kenneth Galbraith has said that more people die... Read More
In stepfamilies, big holiday expectations can lead to big disappointment--and... Read More
Ritalin is a good medication with a bad reputation. Its... Read More
Just the other day, I was talking to some other... Read More
My name is Duncan and I'm 2 years old. I... Read More
Does the homework battle so typical with your hyperactive or... Read More
If you're a single parent or a married couple on... Read More
maid service near Winnetka ..Lead is one of the most dangerous toxins a person... Read More
Dear friends here we will charge up our mind with... Read More
Puberty can be a difficult time for children. Not quite... Read More
Child Party Planning Guideline #1)Pick the ThemeYour child is going... Read More
"Becoming a parent can make you a better worker," New... Read More
Age 1: Invite only family members and close friends only... Read More
Researching career education uncovered the following shocking statistic: The average... Read More
A while ago I received this story from David in... Read More
I had my first two children on either side of... Read More
What one word best sums up summer fun? Water. I... Read More
When your child shows signs of potty training readiness, it's... Read More
With the beginning of the new school year coming VERY... Read More
Who lives in your house? Are they driving you "crazy?"... Read More
As parents, we strive to address all of the questions... Read More
The brightly colored plastic mobile dangles lazily overhead in the... Read More
Under the "No Child Left Behind Act," public schools whose... Read More
Q. What is the best way to teach safety awareness... Read More
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes around the brain... Read More
4 traps to avoidTrap 1 - Parents need to realize... Read More
It's the third time this week that Sam has complained... Read More
Every week I write something about the stock market -... Read More
1. Encourage your babysitter by keeping their favorite foods/snacks on... Read More
When a child is born, a new number is added... Read More
Adderall is a stimulant medication used in the treatment of... Read More
There is nothing quite like hiking with small children. The... Read More
Parenting |