Exercise and other physical activity does help to build a foundation for a healthy life. Moreover, promoting good health starts with what we put into our bodies. Teaching our children food fundamentals is a core value that begins at home and should not be left to school cafeterias, kindergarten teachers and camp counselors (although the latter may provide some useful, necessity eating tips).
A Twitter follower sent me this post from the Truu Mom Confessions website. Although the poster preferred to be anonymous, it is valid, “people are always amazed that our girls love healthy foods and don’t complain if we don’t serve ‘kid food’ like chicken nuggets, mac n cheese, etc. Simple: my husband and I are not short-order cooks. We do not make separate kid meals, nor do we build our menus around kid foods. The girls will find something on the table they like. Picky eaters are made, not born.”
Summer is an opportunity to break out of hibernation, spend more time outdoors and eat more colorful, fresh fruits and vegetables. “One of the easiest and most beneficial ways that we can help our children make the transition into summertime is to make sure their diet changes along with the change of seasons,” said Jennifer Crain, a practicing acupuncturist specializing in treating children’s health conditions through Japanese-style acupuncture and nutritional healing. She recommends that “summer is also a good time to use cooking methods that retain water in the food – quick sautéing, steaming, using less salt and more water.”
Restaurant prepared foods are practically filled with sodium and other preservatives. Supplement that with flat consumer spending, it is easy to understand why recent results from a consumer spending survery have proclaimed that "staying home is the new eating out!" Wona Miniati, author of Cooking with All Things Trader Joe’s advocates eating more at home, “you can choose the quality of your foods and be educated about the amount of sodium and unhealthy fats that you are adding to your meals.” Contrary to popular belief, home cooking is not as time consuming as it once was, Miniati reminds us that “supermarkets these days have a great selection of prepped ingredients and other shortcuts that make "speed scratch" cooking very easy.” I wonder what supermarket she has in mind?
Changing our habits, involves remaining vigilant. Foremost in our routines is productivity as the onset of complacency can cause us to lose focus. It is crucial that we remain alert in our position for sustaining a healthy lifestyle for our future.
Rewarding tips from readers for fostering a healthy lifestyle in our children:
Gillian Christie – “Organic and healthy foods DO make healthier, smarter kids. Invest in this area.”
Agatha Achindu, Yummy Spoonfuls: “In order not to get caught up in this debate about how negative toxins are in our foods, why not try to avoid them? You — and especially your children – should join the tide and get on the organic train.”
Jill Nussinow, The Veggie Queen: “Make sure veggies are fresh and delicious. Also cutting them into fun shapes and serving with a dip like hummus — which many kids love — black bean, salsa, anything not filled with mayo, fat and other not so healthy things.”
@LauraMac09 (via Twitter): “The stepping stones of character are built on mindfulness; respect for all things: manners as well as thoughtfulness. Volunteering at the animal shelter with my son, reading as much as possible (including fairy tales and folk legends from other countries), attending art galleries and live shows, and teaching him to be open to people of all ages, colors, and creeds.”
@virginiagins (via Twitter): “Hire a fitness coach for you or your kids. It places more responsibility on the individual while still allowing her to take advantage of the advice and encouragement of a professional fitness trainer.”
Calie Shackleford, Broccoli Cupcake: “We have pizza Friday’s at our house (sometimes it’s a healthy made-at-home recipe and sometimes its Dominos) and we eat cake and ice cream at birthday parties. I think life is all about finding the balance that works for you.”
@lifeismental (via Twitter): “You wouldn’t leave home without healthy snacks for kids; include smart snack for you too. Avoid junk food and overeating from hunger.”
Sue Samuels, www.MoveFreeDancers.com: “Get a variety of healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables. As I am not perfect, I believe you can do anything in moderation.”
@AngelinaDeAsis (via Twitter): “If you can’t brush after a meal, sip oolong or green tea. It has been shown to reduce the amount of plaque-causing bacteria in your mouth.”
Kristie McNamara, Tilvee Eco Ethical Skincare: “Every morning I ask my kids what is their goal for today… and I also revisit that when putting them to bed. Did they meet their goal? Was it easy or not so easy? What were some of the obstacles?”
Frances Largeman-Roth, author Feed the Belly: The Pregnant Mom’s Healthy Eating Guide: “Choose the healthiest fish, know germ-free ways to cook and eat, understand how much weight gain is appropriate, and what are some nutrition strategies for when you’re trying for a bump.”
Debi Silber, author The Lifestyle Fitness Program: A Six Part Plan So Every Mom Can Look, Feel and Live Her Best: “Eat nutrient rich, satisfying foods that give us sustained energy. You wouldn’t put sand in your gas tank and expect your car to run, would you?’
Lynn Epstein, Mama Says: “Be the friend you want to be. Invite a friend over. Keep your eyes open and your smile on.”
Latham Thomas, Tender Shoots Wellness: “Teach your kids to eat colorful foods, on a color-balanced plate. Sourcing a variety of full spectrum foods will ensure they get a broad spectrum of nutrients.”
Gwen Lawrence – Registered Yoga Instructor: “Most people don’t have the luxury of working out for a living, so I strongly encourage my children, friends and students to carve out at least 30 minutes every day for exercise because, in my opinion, this is the simplest way to stay healthy.”
@momnificent (via Twitter): “Teaching about confidence, boundaries, positive energy, life balance, self-care will lead to effective parenting. Be Momnificent!”
Comments are closed.