Healthy Eating for Kids

Getting kids to eat healthy can be quite a challenge—children seem to abide the rules of “bad things taste good, good things taste bad,” and “eat things that taste good.” Even adults fall into this pattern often.  However, it’s important for everyone to eat a healthy diet. It’s especially important for kids because they are still in the stages of developmental growth; how they take care of their health when they’re young can strongly impact how healthy they grow up to be as adults. Parents should be informed about healthy eating for kids so that they provide their children with what’s good for them.

Healthy eating for kids includes components from all parts of the food pyramid. The key to healthy eating is Balance. Too much consumption in one area can have negative health consequences. This is especially true of fats, salts and sugars. And while substances like protein nourish our bodies and are generally good for us, an excess of protein can put more stress on the body and lead to the buildup of fat. So a healthy diet for kids is low in fat, salts and sugars and it has a substantial, but not excessive amount of things like protein, calcium, carbohydrates and iron. Also, be sure your kids are eating enough grain and plenty of vegetables and fruits. It’s okay to treat your children once in a while, but make sure to keep it occasional; they will thank you someday.

I’m sure you’ve heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day…  It is! Make sure that your kids have breakfast. Kids need energy to get through the day, and those who skip breakfast are likely to overeat later in the day. Countless studies suggest that kids who eat breakfast perform better at school and have lower levels of cholesterol, lower weight and less illness. Try to whip up a balanced breakfast that includes carbs, calcium and fruits. A bowl of cereal (not too sugary) with a banana or a waffle with fruit and yogurt are both good breakfast foods for kids. There are many health food stores in Celebration and the surrounding areas in Orlando.  Many of these stores have nutritional experts on staff and will assist you in planning the appropriate diet for your family.

But while maintaining a healthy diet has great benefits, these benefits can diminish if they aren’t supplemented with exercise.   Healthy eating isn’t enough.  Healthy living includes healthy eating and regular physical activity.  Eating healthy won’t do your children a whole lot of good if they’re sitting in front of the TV all day. Healthy eating for kids starts with healthy eating for parents. Parents’ eating habits heavily influence how and what their kids eat. So, set a good example. Raise the bar, and make healthy eating a family activity.

Originally posted 2009-12-03 11:38:01.

Celebration News

• Florida Hospital – Dr. McCarus
• Dr. Vipul Patel at Celebration Health
• Celebration Medical Company Gets Stimulus Money
• Health & Beauty
• Corpus Christi Opens New Church

Related News

• Healthy Restaurant Eating
• Former Fat Guy Rob Cooper On Diet and Nutrition
• Weigh-In Day: 330 Lbs. Progress Photos
• Good Health with a Healthy Pregnancy Diet
• The Hardgainer's Nutrition Plan