![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kidsrkids.com\/oviedo\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2019\/09\/eating-healthy.png\")
<\/figure>\nKids are young! Do they really need to worry about \u2018eating healthy?\u2019<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\nYes! Definitely!<\/p>\n
Kids\u2019 bodies process junk and sugars a lot faster than adult bodies, since their metabolism rate tends to be much higher<\/u><\/a>. However, this doesn\u2019t mean that they can go on consuming what they please, unchecked and unaccounted for.<\/p>\nOver time, eating habits that we develop as children are consolidated and carried on into adult lives. It\u2019s a vicious cycle and the idea that \u2018kids will be kids; let them do what they want,\u2019 is harmful to their long-term health.<\/p>\n
In fact, more than anything, excessive sugar harms children\u2019s metabolism<\/u><\/a>\u00a0and leads to obesity<\/u><\/a>, both in childhood and adulthood.<\/p>\nMost kids are also incredibly active and on their feet a lot, so they burn off a lot of the junk they consume, giving no real signs of an unhealthy lifestyle, but excessive consumption of sugar is linked to obesity, childhood diabetes, ADHD triggers and general hyperactivity. It is also linked to poor oral health and tooth decay.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kidsrkids.com\/oviedo\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2019\/09\/Vitamins.png\")
<\/figure>\nSugar isn\u2019t the only culprit though; it\u2019s not always about what\u2019s in <\/i><\/em>their diet; it\u2019s also about what\u2019s\u00a0not in <\/i><\/em>it.<\/p>\nSkipping vegetables, fruit, meat and dairy and other nutrient rich foods<\/u><\/a>\u00a0at an age where they\u2019re growing rapidly is a big problem that hinders the overall development of young children.<\/p>\nBalanced diets should include steady helpings of leafy greens, lots of fresh fruit and natural sugars and sources of calcium, iron and all-important Vitamins and other nutrients.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s all easier said than done, admittedly, since kids are moody. You can\u2019t sit them down and talk to them as you could to an adult, adolescent or even an older child. Whether you\u2019re dealing with toddlers or young, school aged kids, there\u2019s a need for action more than reaction.<\/p>\n
How do I get my child to make healthier food choices?<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\nStarting young is the key!<\/p>\n
The sooner you inculcate the habit of eating healthy and making better choices, the better it will be for your child\u2019s health and habit building. You have to start slow and build up to a point where your little one begins to decide for themselves, carrying on this practice wherever they go and however old they get.<\/p>\n
You can also try this with your older kids and get them on board with these lifestyle changes and practices.<\/p>\n
Some of the best tips to encourage healthy eating for kids are:<\/p>\n
1)\u00a0<\/b>Build Routine <\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\nKids eat. We all know that kids love to eat and want snacks at random\u2014well not random, hunger has its demands\u2014and don\u2019t always eat when we try to get them to.<\/p>\n
Routine building is the cornerstone of any good habit and getting kids to develop and adopt patterns.<\/p>\n
As a preschool and daycare, in Oviedo, FL<\/a>, with a before and after school program<\/u><\/a>\u00a0in place, we work with working parents struggling to juggle their own routines, work and take care of their kids. This is why it\u2019s important to take time out and build up to a manageable routine\u2014whether it\u2019s setting meal times and bed times or planning activities during the day.<\/p>\n2)\u00a0<\/b>Plan Meals Ahead <\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\nWith busy routines and hectic schedules, it isn\u2019t easy to plan ahead, especially when it comes to meals and food. However, it ends up saving you a lot of time by not having to think of what\u2019s for dinner an hour before.<\/p>\n
Start slow; maybe plan meals ahead for two or three days and stock up on groceries (more on that later); prepare what you need to and assemble when it\u2019s time to serve. Look for recipes that you can freeze and eat throughout the week and do the same for your kids\u2019 lunches!<\/p>\n
When there isn\u2019t much planning for your next meal, it\u2019s tempting to order takeout or eat poorly.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kidsrkids.com\/oviedo\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2019\/09\/Family.png\")
<\/figure>\n3)\u00a0<\/b>Eat As a Family<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\nEven if this means one meal, build a habit of eating together. This also means eating the same things!<\/p>\n
When your child is old enough, move them off kiddie meals and snacks and offer food that\u2019s both enjoyable and adult-and-kid friendly.<\/p>\n
Serve veggies, fruits, whole-grain pastas, rice and bread to keep things from being boring, while also being nutritious.<\/p>\n
Show them how to build their plates and portions, filling up with vegetables, and protein and carbs. Ask them what they\u2019d like to eat and help themselves to. Remember to follow these rules yourself too, and be a good role model. Children will follow suit.<\/p>\n
4)\u00a0<\/b>Don\u2019t Criticize Their Eating Habits and Be Flexible<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\nWe all have to start somewhere, and if they\u2019re taking things slow, let them. It\u2019s not easy weening anyone off their old habits; it takes patience and consistency. So if you serve something they don\u2019t like, or they\u2019re picky eaters<\/u><\/a>\u00a0not eating as much as you\u2019d think, don\u2019t worry.<\/p>\nGive them healthy snacks like fruit chunks and veggie sticks to keep them full, or some crackers to munch on between meals. Let them get a feel for healthy foods and they\u2019ll develop a habit soon enough!<\/p>\n
5)\u00a0<\/b>Involve Them In Grocery Shopping and Cooking <\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\nThis is also important! You can\u2019t expect to cook things without considering their likes and dislikes, so it\u2019s essential to involve them in the decision-making process. Take them grocery shopping and have them pick out their favorite vegetables and snacks and find a balance between treats and healthy eats.<\/p>\n
Over time, eating habits that we develop as children are consolidated and carried on into adult lives. It\u2019s a vicious cycle and the idea that \u2018kids will be kids; let them do what they want,\u2019 is harmful to their long-term health.<\/p>\n
In fact, more than anything, excessive sugar harms children\u2019s metabolism<\/u><\/a>\u00a0and leads to obesity<\/u><\/a>, both in childhood and adulthood.<\/p>\n Most kids are also incredibly active and on their feet a lot, so they burn off a lot of the junk they consume, giving no real signs of an unhealthy lifestyle, but excessive consumption of sugar is linked to obesity, childhood diabetes, ADHD triggers and general hyperactivity. It is also linked to poor oral health and tooth decay.<\/p>\n Sugar isn\u2019t the only culprit though; it\u2019s not always about what\u2019s in <\/i><\/em>their diet; it\u2019s also about what\u2019s\u00a0not in <\/i><\/em>it.<\/p>\n Skipping vegetables, fruit, meat and dairy and other nutrient rich foods<\/u><\/a>\u00a0at an age where they\u2019re growing rapidly is a big problem that hinders the overall development of young children.<\/p>\n Balanced diets should include steady helpings of leafy greens, lots of fresh fruit and natural sugars and sources of calcium, iron and all-important Vitamins and other nutrients.<\/p>\n It\u2019s all easier said than done, admittedly, since kids are moody. You can\u2019t sit them down and talk to them as you could to an adult, adolescent or even an older child. Whether you\u2019re dealing with toddlers or young, school aged kids, there\u2019s a need for action more than reaction.<\/p>\n Starting young is the key!<\/p>\n The sooner you inculcate the habit of eating healthy and making better choices, the better it will be for your child\u2019s health and habit building. You have to start slow and build up to a point where your little one begins to decide for themselves, carrying on this practice wherever they go and however old they get.<\/p>\n You can also try this with your older kids and get them on board with these lifestyle changes and practices.<\/p>\n Some of the best tips to encourage healthy eating for kids are:<\/p>\n Kids eat. We all know that kids love to eat and want snacks at random\u2014well not random, hunger has its demands\u2014and don\u2019t always eat when we try to get them to.<\/p>\n Routine building is the cornerstone of any good habit and getting kids to develop and adopt patterns.<\/p>\n As a preschool and daycare, in Oviedo, FL<\/a>, with a before and after school program<\/u><\/a>\u00a0in place, we work with working parents struggling to juggle their own routines, work and take care of their kids. This is why it\u2019s important to take time out and build up to a manageable routine\u2014whether it\u2019s setting meal times and bed times or planning activities during the day.<\/p>\n With busy routines and hectic schedules, it isn\u2019t easy to plan ahead, especially when it comes to meals and food. However, it ends up saving you a lot of time by not having to think of what\u2019s for dinner an hour before.<\/p>\n Start slow; maybe plan meals ahead for two or three days and stock up on groceries (more on that later); prepare what you need to and assemble when it\u2019s time to serve. Look for recipes that you can freeze and eat throughout the week and do the same for your kids\u2019 lunches!<\/p>\n When there isn\u2019t much planning for your next meal, it\u2019s tempting to order takeout or eat poorly.<\/p>\n Even if this means one meal, build a habit of eating together. This also means eating the same things!<\/p>\n When your child is old enough, move them off kiddie meals and snacks and offer food that\u2019s both enjoyable and adult-and-kid friendly.<\/p>\n Serve veggies, fruits, whole-grain pastas, rice and bread to keep things from being boring, while also being nutritious.<\/p>\n Show them how to build their plates and portions, filling up with vegetables, and protein and carbs. Ask them what they\u2019d like to eat and help themselves to. Remember to follow these rules yourself too, and be a good role model. Children will follow suit.<\/p>\n We all have to start somewhere, and if they\u2019re taking things slow, let them. It\u2019s not easy weening anyone off their old habits; it takes patience and consistency. So if you serve something they don\u2019t like, or they\u2019re picky eaters<\/u><\/a>\u00a0not eating as much as you\u2019d think, don\u2019t worry.<\/p>\n Give them healthy snacks like fruit chunks and veggie sticks to keep them full, or some crackers to munch on between meals. Let them get a feel for healthy foods and they\u2019ll develop a habit soon enough!<\/p>\n This is also important! You can\u2019t expect to cook things without considering their likes and dislikes, so it\u2019s essential to involve them in the decision-making process. Take them grocery shopping and have them pick out their favorite vegetables and snacks and find a balance between treats and healthy eats.<\/p>\n<\/figure>\nHow do I get my child to make healthier food choices?<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n
1)\u00a0<\/b>Build Routine <\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n
2)\u00a0<\/b>Plan Meals Ahead <\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/figure>\n3)\u00a0<\/b>Eat As a Family<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n
4)\u00a0<\/b>Don\u2019t Criticize Their Eating Habits and Be Flexible<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n
5)\u00a0<\/b>Involve Them In Grocery Shopping and Cooking <\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kidsrkids.com\/oviedo\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/83\/2019\/09\/Treats.png\")
<\/figure>\n