Nutrition offers the core building blocks that enable a child to grow up healthy. A child's well being is dependent on what nutrients he is receiving. Good eating habits start at a young age and with, the proper examples and education, good nutrition is a lifestyle that can be implemented for years to come.
Nutrition Defined
Nutrition is the study of what we eat and how our body uses it. Nutrients are the substances that food is made up of and are critical for a child's (and adult's) body to function properly. Foods are made up of three prime nutrients. These are carbohydrates, protein and fat. A child's body requires all three of these to work. These nutrients are all supplied by a healthy variety of foods.
You Are What You Eat
"Poor nutritional choices cause every bit as much cancer, death, disability and chronic disease as cigarettes do," says Dr. Greene, a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine. Healthy foods are what literally build every part of a child, from their eyes, to their bones, to their brains. Kids Nutrition Simplified states that children require sufficient amounts of protein, calories and fat in order to grow and develop properly. The first few years of a child's life are the most important for the brain. Feeding a child healthy foods in turn helps him to grow up healthy.
Weight
Obesity in children can lead to Type 2 diabetes, asthma, heart disease, low self-esteem and even bullying. Kids Nutrition Simplified encourages children to strive to achieve a healthy weight. Serving the appropriate portion size to a child is one way of contributing to a healthy weight. Most kid portion sizes are not as big as people think. They also suggest limiting the intake of fried foods and instead choosing to bake, broil, roast or steam. Using food as a reward is also discouraged. It is suggested to reward with stickers, outings or other fun activities instead.
Healthy Eating Plan
A child's menu should consist mostly of healthy foods such as poultry, lean meats, seafood, eggs, legumes, whole grains, dairy, fruits and vegetables. Limit the treat intake. "Keep junk foods like cookies and candy out of the house to reduce temptation," advises Kathy Mitchell, MD, a pediatrician at Harvard Medical Associates in Watertown, MA. "But don't go overboard. Kids can become intensely attracted to forbidden foods." Kids Nutrition Simplified encourages the parent to set when and what the child will eat, but let the child decide if she will eat it and how much. It also suggests scheduling meals and snacks as opposed to grazing throughout the day. This keeps everyone informed about what is being eaten and how much.
Model Behavior
Dr. Greene suggests that a parent eats the same way he desires his child to eat. Children model their parents and often want what is on their plate. If a parent is eating healthy, he will be sharing fruits and vegetables from his plate, not junk food. This will not only create a healthier family, but will encourage the child to grow up with these behavior patterns. Children follow a parent's example, so it is important that the example be a positive one.
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