Good nutrition is vital. Children need the right foods for growing, brain development, concentration, productivity, general wellness and to keeping their bodies working as they should. Making intelligent choices for our children’s health sounds great, but how do we do it?
It’s important that parents and carers understand that building healthy habits starts at home, and that you as the adult are a role model for your children. It’s in these early years of their lives where eating habits are formed and developed, so encouraging healthy food early on is a lifelong benefit.
A poor diet, together with low levels of physical activity, can have a fundamental effect on both a child’s immediate and long-term health. Immediate problems may include obesity, anaemia, and dental caries, while longer-term effects may include the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, certain cancers, heart disease and stroke at a younger age, seeing as overweight and obese children are likely to stay obese into adulthood. In recent decades the number of overweight and obese children has grown rapidly worldwide, and it’s having a detrimental impact.
We all want the best for our kids, and it’s up to us to give them the tools they need for life.
Some top tips:
It is very important to establish a routine and a proper place to eat.
Avoid refined sugar and processed food as much as possible. Peel more than unpack!
Offer a natural, healthy, balanced and diversified diet.
Motivate the kids to have a natural colourful plate with the colour of the rainbow. ‘Which colours are we going to eat today?’
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