Parent Teacher Magazine Rowan-Salisbury Schools January 2014 | Page 7
Eat Well, for Your Children’s Sake
A special contribution from Novant Health
You can tell your children how to eat well, but experts say it’s better to
show them.
Children learn by watching their parents. If your favorite restaurant is
the “All You Can Eat Buffet” and your number one vegetable is the french fry,
you’re sending the wrong message.
Good role models have never been more important. About one in five
kids in America is seriously overweight. High cholesterol and type 2 diabetes
are rising steadily among the young.
Children must learn from their parents and caregivers to value
themselves, eat nutritiously, and get proper exercise and rest.
Here’s some expert advice:
F Dine as a family. Studies indicate that children who regularly eat
dinner with their family consume more fruits, vegetables, and fiber and
less saturated fat, trans fat, fried foods, and soda.
F Go for healthy foods and drinks. Researchers have found that girls’
drink choices mirrored their mothers’ choices. Girls were more likely to
choose milk over soft drinks because their mothers did so.
F Switch to smaller portions. Super-sized portions can hurt children’s
eating habits and waistlines. It takes just 48 extra calories a day (seven
potato chips) to gain five pounds a year. If possible, let children serve
themselves.
F Eat out with restraint. Visit restaurants just once or twice a week,
and press children to get small orders of fast food if no healthier choice
is available. Share a dinner portion with children and add a salad or other
vegetables if children are still hungry.
F Let children some make
decisions.
Research suggests that children whose
diets are either strictly controlled or
minimally monitored by their parents
are more likely to indulge in those
“forbidden” foods.
F Provide a variety of healthy
choices. Then let children choose
from that selection. This satisfies
children’s need for independence and
gives parents some control over what
their children eat.
F Maintain a healthy weight.
Avoid unhealthy approaches to weight
loss, such as fad diets or diet pills.
Emphasize the importance of being fit
and healthy as opposed to being thin.
F Stay active. Eating is just part of the equation. Stay physically active
as a family by walking, biking, or swimming. Limit kids’ time in front of
the television and computer.
Get healthy today! Novant Health
Rowan Pediatrics is now open to care
for children in our community. To
learn more, call 704-638-1550.
Parent Teacher Magazine • January/February 2014 • 5