Let's get this straight, kids should not diet! They should play, burn calories and replenish them with good nutrition. It's only when children eat too many sugars (and too many calories) and then do not burn them that things start to go wrong. As a parent, there are many things you can do to improve the eating habits of your children, and breakfast is a good place to begin.
Cereals are too sweet to be true. Very few breakfast cereals are actually sugar free. Almost all of them contain large quantities of sugar. Be sure to read the labels when shopping for cereals, and opt for products high in fiber (at least 6 to 8 grams fiber per serving) and low in sugar (less than 20 grams sugar per serving). Good alternatives include oatmeal or sugar-free corn flakes.
Read the labels on cereals and look for the ones that are high in fiber and low in sugar. Encourage them to sweeten their cereal with fruit such as sliced banana, apple, pear, or a few raisins instead of sprinkling sugar. The best snack option for a child is a fruit. You should always have a mountain of fresh, appealing fruit at home for them to nibble whenever they feel hungry. Send them to school with some fruit rather than money for buying junk food.
Another good habit to develop in your children is eating vegetables with each meal and, as a rule, eating something raw. Many children eat too few vegetables. The trick is to prepare vegetables in a tasty way that tempts your child. Use different types of flavorings, seasonings and dressings to make a vegetable dish more palatable. Don't overcook vegetables because it robs them of important nutrients. Raw carrots are usually a favorite with children as are peas and either mashed or baked potatoes. It's best if you can help your child get used to eating potatoes with the skin intact; it's much healthier. Serve something raw with each meal- such as carrots, cabbage or tomatoes helps children develop a taste for salad foods.
Protein intake is very important for growing children. Protein can be derived from meat, chicken, eggs, fish, and sprouts. For active children, and children entering adolescence, parents might want to consider a protein supplement, especially if the child is a pure vegetarian, and /or eats too many junk foods. You should ask your pediatrician and/or a nutritionist about whether this is appropriate. There are many protein supplements on the market so, if you are going to add them to your child's diet, ask someone knowledgeable about which are best.
Now that many experts have raised awareness of what's lacking in many children's diets, caring parents are looking for solutions. Here's what we know about some of the nutritional imbalances affecting many children.
Sugar imbalance Deficiency of vitamins, minerals, often zinc, B12 and niacin Deficiency of essential fatty acids (such as fish oil) Consult your physician to recommend a good, chewable multivitamin and mineral formula designed for children. Children need all the nutrients but especially: Vitamin A to help resist infection Vitamin D to aid calcium absorption Vitamins B and C for brain development Zinc to assist growth Plus chromium, selenium, magnesium and manganese. Check that all of these are present in a multivitamin formulation for children, especially zinc. For younger children, some doctors suggest liquid vitamins with droppers. Supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) have been found to be associated with higher problem solving abilities in kids.
As a parent, it's time for you to take the initiative for your child. You can take the first step by insisting on some good habits. Teach them to eat during designated meal and snack times. For example, don't let them get into the habit of eating in front of the television, or eating freely all day and all night long.
So start building the foundation for a lifetime of good food and fitness habits in your children. Although you can expect some complaining in the short term, you'll be glad you did it and so will your kids.
Christmas is a truly magical season that is enjoyed by many but no one enjoys the Christmas season more than kids. It might be the prospect of some well deserved time off from school, the allure of the lights and decorations, the beauty of the snow that often accompanies Christmas or just the anticipation of Santa and his sleigh filled with toys that is so exciting for children but it is evident that most kids are truly enchanted by Christmas. For this reason many adults truly enjoy shopping for kids and Christmas time.
While Christmas shopping for kids is a great deal of fun there are some factors to consider when Christmas shopping for kids. A few of the specific concerns include selecting age appropriate toys, selecting toys which are not too noisy or too big for the child's living situation, selecting toys the child does not already have, selecting toys which the parents consider to be acceptable and finally selecting toys the child will enjoy. This can make Christmas shopping for kids a little more difficult but does not make the shopping any less fun.
Selecting age appropriate toys is very important when Christmas shopping for kids. This is so important for a couple of reasons. First of all it is important because toys which are designed for older children might be potentially dangerous for the child. For example toys which are designed for children over the age of three may contain small pieces which pose a choking hazard. Children under the age of three still often put toys and other objects in their mouths so they must receive toys which contain only pieces large enough to not be a choking hazard. Also, toys which are designed for an older child or even a younger child may not be as much fun for the child as they would be for children of the appropriate age. If the child is too young for the toy, they may be come easily frustrated because they can not use the toy appropriately. Conversely a child who is too old for a particular toy may become bored with the toy quickly.
When shopping for Christmas gifts for a child, it is also important to consider the child's parents and the living situation. This includes the size of the living area and the proximity to neighbors. Specifically toys which are particularly noisy may not be appropriate for a child who lives in an apartment building with other apartment units nearby. Also, large toys such as a trampoline may not be appropriate for a child who does not have a yard large enough to accommodate such a gift. Similarly large indoor items such as a foosball table would not be appropriate for a child who does not have a dedicated toy room to accommodate such a large item. As a general rule it is best to stick with small items which do not make a great deal of noise when Christmas shopping for kids.
It is also important to consider the personal beliefs of the parents when shopping for Christmas gifts for their children. Specifically you should not purchase an item for a child if you know their parents are ethically opposed to such as item. Guns and violent video games are a couple of obvious example of Christmas gifts which may offend the parents. There are many parents who do not allow their children to play with these items because they believe they promote violence. If you are not sure about the feelings of the parents, it is best not to select these items.
Finally, when Christmas shopping for a child, it is wise to consult the parents beforehand. This can be helpful for a couple of different reasons. First the parents can give some insight into the child's hobbies and interests which may make selecting a gift easier. They may even suggest a specific item from the child's Christmas list ensuring you are giving the child something he really wants for Christmas. Consulting the parents can also prevent you from giving the child a gift he already has. Try calling the parents before you make a purchase to suggest a particular item. They can let you know if they think the child will enjoy the item or if the child already has the item.
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