Children
in their early age grow quickly. This time is critically important as it builds
a foundation for good physical and mental health in adulthood. Children, if
nurtured properly, grow to be strong and have a healthy lifestyle.
During
this span of development, the intake of healthy food by children is a vital
matter, as eating a nutritious diet benefits them all through life. They get
the right vitamins and minerals, which help them to grow and develop optimally.
Therefore, it is quite essential for parents to instill a habit of eating
healthy food in children from the very beginning. This blog will discuss in
detail not only about the importance of eating healthy food but also mention a
few tips for parents to encourage their children to have a proper diet.
Benefits
of Eating Healthy Food for kids
Healthy
food eating habits can have profound effect on child development, especially during
their early years. Intake of healthy food can stabilize their
energy, sharpen their minds and have a great effect on their sense of mental
and emotional well-being. Nutritious diet leads to better immunity in children,
which can help them in fighting any diseases, viruses or infections at the
earlier stage itself.
Encouraging
Kids to Eat Healthy Food
It is
well said that, ‘It is easier to build up a child than it is to repair an
adult’. Therefore, it is very important to encourage children to eat healthy
food for them to be fit throughout their lives. Kids are never born with a
craving for fast food or an aversion to vegetables or fruits, but it only
occurs when they are exposed to unhealthy food choices. However, their
unhealthy food cravings can be reprogrammed to healthier ones.
It is a
fact that whether children are toddlers or in their teens, they develop a natural
preference for the foods they enjoy the most. So, to encourage healthy eating
habits, the parents need to go through this challenge of making nutritious
choices appealing, and here are a few tips to do the same:
·
Parents must try to be a role model of their children, for they
imitate quite strongly to what they see. Therefore, if adults eat healthy food
then their kids will follow them too.
·
An idea to disguise the taste of healthier foods can encourage
children to eat healthy, i.e. a boring food can be spiced up by adding oregano,
black pepper, etc.
·
Restaurant or hotel food is cooked with more sugar and excess of
oils. Therefore, it is better to cook such meals at home for that may have a
huge impact on the kids’ health, and they will also enjoy variety of savors.
·
If kids get involved and develop interest in purchasing
ingredients or cooking food, then they may be encouraged to intake healthy
food. So, while shopping for groceries or preparing meals, get them along and
teach them about different foods and how to read food labels.
·
To avoid kids from having unhealthy snacks like soda, chips,
cookies, etc. avail them with fruits, vegetables or healthy beverages when they
feel the need to have snacks.
Kid-friendly
Junk Food Alternatives
Usually
junk food is tempting for kids. Even though it is typically high in sugar,
unhealthy fat & calories and low in nutrients, fast food will always be the
first choice for children to eat. However, few healthy food preparation tips
can ensure healthy eating habits in children, which can include:
·
Instead of French fries, give children ‘Baked Fries’ that are
grilled in oven and salted lightly.
·
Yogurt, sorbet and fresh fruit smoothies could be perfect
substitutes of an ice cream.
·
Baked or grilled chicken is as tasty as fried chicken but is
healthier than it.
·
Chocolate-Chip cookies are replaceable with fig bars, vanilla
wafers, fruits and caramel dip.
·
Baked vegetable chips or nuts could serve as delicious
alternative for potato chips.
In a
nutshell, there are several ways in which parents can prepare food that
balances nutrition of healthy food as well as taste of junk food. Healthy food
habits can be really critical for children,
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