Being overweight is unhealthy. Being underweight also has health risks. Research proves that about 80% of overweight children grow up obese. It increases their cancer risk and can lead to bullying and low self-esteem. Then, you want your child to be healthy.
Pause for a moment and think about your own exercise and eating habits. What would you say about them? Would you like your kids to have habits like yours, or could they do better? How can you get your children to stay active and have good eating habits?
Keep Your Child Fit and Healthy
Talk to your kids about the importance of being healthy
Teach them that different types of food give different types of energy.
Help them understand that if they want to get big and tall, they need building blocks – food with natural nutrients.
Encourage Them To exercise or move their bodies daily
Help them to understand that their body is meant to move.
Convince them that when they do this, they will fall sick less and can play with their friends more.
You could tell your kids to exercise directly. But a more effective method is to squeeze in a bit of exercise at different times during the day. They may not even notice it.
You can tell them to walk the dog or take them to the playground, so they can play with their friends. Climbing or swinging on the monkey bars can help strengthen their muscles.
Take a walk with them before or after dinner
Surprise them with gifts they can use for exercise, like bikes and skateboards. They can even use these as a means of transportation to school instead of you constantly dropping them off.
Make exercise fun
Teach them your favorite active games or sports. Put on some dance music and jam to it.
Challenge them to beat you in a race. Team sports like basketball, soccer, swimming, and karate are also fun.
Limit unhealthy and calorie-rich temptations
Control what foods you buy and eat. The availability of high fat, sugary, or salty snacks will prevent your kids from developing healthy eating habits.
Kids naturally eat what is available at home—stock up on fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and proteins.
You can also learn recipes for healthy snacks and prepare them together.
Limit screen time
What do we often do when watching something on our phones, computer, or TV? We mindlessly snack. That is not a good habit to encourage in your children. When they have nothing to do, encourage them to keep busy with things other than watching screens.
Eat as a family
Unless they have special dietary concerns, they should eat what the family eats. Kids are more likely to eat their fruits and vegetables if they see everyone else doing so.
What if your kids are against the idea of eating together? They will be more willing if you try to involve them in the meal preparation process. You can encourage them to invite their friends to dinner occasionally to make them more likely to want to eat with the family.
Another important tip is to avoid using mealtime as an opportunity to give lectures.
Practice portion control
This training helps children eat what they need, not simply because they want to. Serve food on smaller plates to make meals look larger. Dish them out on the counter, not at the dining table.
If food is at arm’s length, they will be encouraged to reach out for seconds, but if it’s on the counter, they will think twice about it.
The goal is to keep your kids healthy, not to starve them. Make sure they are receiving a healthy, balanced diet. Don’t forget to commend your children for their effort in obeying you.
As you work on helping them, ensure that you help yourself, too. Don’t ignore your health. Your kids need you alive. You love them dearly, so help them develop healthy habits they will carry throughout their lives.
