Child Health Day

Monday was Child Health Day, observed nationally in the U.S. I wasn’t able to post on Monday, but I didn’t want to let the day go unnoticed. Child Health Day promotes the education of nutrition and exercise to children as well as providing educational tools for their parents. Teaching health promotion and wellness at an early age will lay the foundation needed for a healthy child to grow to become a healthy adult. In the last thirty years, the incidence of childhood obesity has tripled and has become an epidemic in our country. This is certain to lead to chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cancer and hypertension. Teaching your child a small lesson at a time about nutritious eating and lifestyle can help make a lasting mark on them forever. Please follow some of my tips below if you have little ones at home and want to make a difference in their future!

Importance of Fruits and Veggies– Although some children have a love-hate relationship with fruits and vegetables, they are essential for their well-being and growth. Teach children about “eating a rainbow” and use some fun visuals. Different colors have different nutrient benefits and physical advantages, so try and explain that it is best to eat as many colors as possible! Let them pick out two different “colors” for dinner, rather than asking them what kind of vegetable they would like. “5-a-day” is the magic rule as well so you can divide them up with a fruit in the morning, a fruit and veggie for snacks, and two vegetables with dinner. By using the color game, a child may be more likely to try a new fruit or vegetable they never would have previously tried! Consuming more fruits and vegetables will also decrease the likelihood of obesity because they will be reducing some of their bad snacks with healthy ones!

Importance of Breakfast– Most people hear that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but do you know why? It is because our bodies need fuel when we wake up to start our days and is the energy that our bodies need to help us focus and concentrate and keep us alert. If we skip breakfast, we are more likely to lose energy early on in the day and binge at lunch time, consuming more than we would have if we had eaten earlier. Research has shown that eating a well-balanced breakfast improves mental clarity thus increasing performance in school. To ensure that this meal won’t be skipped, choose what you are going to have in the morning the night before!

Importance of My Plate-Children should learn the 5 food groups and know what “MyPlate” looks like. Visuals tend to be more effective for children as they may not understand just by listening. They should be shown that half of their plates should be filled with fruits and vegetables, half with whole grains, eat less meat (and it should be lean) and increase milk consumption. Milk builds strong bones which is important to teach the kids!

Importance of Exercise and Play– Instead of playing video and computer games, children need to become more physically active. Being involved in an organized sport or running around the neighborhood with friends are both great ways to exercise. Exercise helps their bodies to grow and be strong, gives them more energy and will also increase their happiness and well-being. Sending the kids outside for a half an hour is a great way to keep them motivated! Children who have more of a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to become overweight, obese, consume high calorie foods and be less social with peers. Make exercise into a nightly family fun time if you don’t think your child is getting enough!

Whether you are a parent or not, it is important as an adult to teach children in your life how to be the best they can be and let them know their futures will be bright. The most important part of our lives is our health, and with a bright future comes a healthy one; the earlier the prevention, the better.

What will you do to teach a child about their health today?

Coming soon! BRG Dietetics & Nutrition, P.C. will be introducing a Family Health Program which focuses on child nutrition education. Keep an eye out for more information!

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