How To Help Your Kids Make Healthy Choices

Henry Moore from Fit Well Traveler  is back as a guest blogger today with such a great article on how to get your kids to make healthy choices.  With obesity being such a problem these days, not only with adults but children as well, it would only make sense that we teach our children at a young age how to make healthy choices so that bad ones don't become instilled in them.  Henry offers some really great tips which if turned into habits could serve the next generation well  as prevention for not having serious obesity-related health issues.

As a parent, you want your child to be as healthy as possible. It’s your responsibility as the adult to raise your child to make great choices. When helping your child live a healthy lifestyle, it comes down to diet and exercise. Below, we’ve listed some tips on how to help your child stay healthy and active throughout his childhood and into adult life.

Eat breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. We know that mornings can be busy while you get ready for work. Aim for a couple of days a week to try and make it fun with some healthy delicious options. Instead of oatmeal or a bowl of cereal, try whipping up some scrambled eggs with a piece of whole wheat toast. Or, you could teach your kids to use a blender so they can make their own smoothies in the morning. They can add in fun fruit such as strawberries, bananas, blackberries or blueberries. 

Limit sweetened beverages

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics, 30 percent of kids in the United States consume two or more sugary beverages a day. When kids consume that much sugar on a daily basis, they are more prone to weight gain, type 2 diabetes, cavities and high cholesterol. Watch how much sugar your child has on any given day. Beverages including sodas, juices, sports and energy drinks, and sweetened teas and coffees can contain a high amount of sugar and should be limited. Instead, try having your child drink more water or milk to help them stay hydrated without all the added sugar.

Don’t put a television in their bedroom

Is your child performing poorly in school or not sleeping well at night? The television in their bedroom may be the culprit. When your child watches TV in his or her bedroom, you aren’t aware of what they’re watching and for how long. To curb this unhealthy habit, take the television out of their room and only allow them to watch it in the living room. This will encourage them to pursue other healthy hobbies or interests at night, such as reading. 

Serve fruits and vegetables daily

The amount of fruit and vegetables your child should consume on a daily basis will depend on their age. Toddlers need approximately one cup of fruit and one cup of vegetables every day, while 9-13-year olds need about one and a half servings of each a day. Fruits can include apples, bananas and grapes. Vegetables can include broccoli, peas, carrots and corn. The more color, the better. 

Exercise regularly

Your child should try to get at least 60 minutes of exercise on a daily basis. While this may seem like a lot, your child is probably already achieving this. Exercise can include bike riding, gymnastics, playing soccer, or riding around the neighborhood on their Razor scooter. If your child isn’t getting enough exercise, try and take them outside more often. Go to the park and throw a Frisbee around or sign them up for a sport after school, such as tennis. Getting them used to physical activity is the important part, but remember to have fun! 

If you follow the above recommendations, you can help your child grow up to make the best choices for themselves. By introducing regular physical activity and a good diet early on, it will help them live their best life.

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