According to the National Institutes of Health, childhood obesity is now considered an epidemic in the United States and the numbers are on the rise year after year. Childhood obesity can lead to other health complications, such as diabetes and heart disease. Parents are encouraged to speak with their child's doctor before putting her on a diet, says the Weight-Control Information Network. However, overhauling a child's current diet by making meal plans can contribute to weight loss and better overall health.
Healthy Breakfast
Breakfast is an important part of a healthy diet for kids. It provides the calories needed to start the day and restore those burned during sleep. Diet meal plans can include low-calorie cereal with low-fat milk and fruit. Another good example is eggs, whole-grain toast and fruit. This will provide a healthy amount of carbohydrates and protein for energy and growth and will contribute to the recommended daily allowances for many vitamins and minerals. The calorie content of these meals can also result in weight loss for children who are aiming for this.
Well-Rounded Lunch
Lunch serves as a way for children to replenish their energy stores and prepare for the rest of the day. A healthy, well-balanced lunch is especially important for kids who are in school all day because hunger interferes with good learning. A healthy lunch will ideally incorporate produce, protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats. A whole-grain tortilla filled with low-fat turkey and avocado with a piece of fruit is a healthy diet meal plan for lunch. Another lunch example is low-calorie, low-sodium soup with a small whole-grain roll and some fruit.
Substantial Dinner
Eating enough calories to get a child through the night without getting hungry is an important thing to consider when choosing a diet meal plan for a child's dinner. In general, cooking dinner at home is an easy way to control the number of calories and fats that go into it and can help a child lose weight and stay healthier. If a family does choose to eat out, a quick look at their nutritional information, usually on the restaurant website, can help them make a healthy diet meal plan before they get there. A good dinner could be whole-wheat pasta with a vegetable filled sauce or grilled fish, brown rice and steamed vegetables.
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