5 A Day is a slogan put out by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It suggests that eating five portions of fruits & vegetables every day will lead to a healthier life.This sounds great in theory, but turns out to be hard in practice, especially when we try to implement it for our children.
We start by recognizing what's at stake. Children face more and more health issues each year. The reports of childhood allergies, diabetes, or even immune deficiencies continue to grow. Then there are the kids who are just generally sick or overweight.
Good habits should start at the beginning. The pregnant mom has a tremendous opportunity to begin instilling a healthy diet before the child is even born. If mom is eating junk during the pregnancy or during breastfeeding, the odds that the child will one day follow suit are huge. There preferences for this kind of food will be set early. So mothers should start their children out right. Providing babies with healthy diets in the womb and at the breast can help children be stronger and healthier.
Of course, children's eating habits, good or bad, are not just gained from experience in the womb or at the breast. Children learn by example too. Parents should always remember that they are being closely watched by little eyes. So eating healthy is just as important for mom and dad as it is for the kids.
A balanced meal through mother's milk would support a stronger immunesystem and minimize doctor visits and illnesses. Eating healthy meals in this way builds children's immune systems before birth, but also gives children the ability to accept healthier meals after birth.
Children learn from their parents and their environment. If you incorporate more healthy eating habits into your life, then it is going to be easy for a child to follow suit and develop those same eating habits. We are bombarded with junk food advertisements everywhere. Itseems that after we have children, we simply forget or alter our eating habits to match our lives with children.
For example, fast food and eating on the go are more convenient. We ignore the fact that they cause damage to our own bodies and to the welfare of our children. Instead of us instilling good eating habits in our children, we take shortcuts, dropping by for a sausage and egg biscuit on the way to work or picking up pizza for dinner. I understand that most of us are always on the go and it is difficult to cook meals regularly. But there are tons and tons of activities we choose over spending time in the kitchen.
With two parents working to support the family, it is even more difficult to control what children eat throughout the day. Bad habits set in and become normal, slowly consuming children's health. Children eat fast foods, even come to school with it, because it is convenient for parents. We teach children that this is normal. Fast food should be eaten on rare occasions only and not be served on a regular basis.
Another way to keep 5 A Day a reality for your family is to be intentional about limiting your bad habits. Cut out the fast foods. Stop doing what's convenient and instead do what's best. Opt for healthy snacks. Even with two busy parents, it's hard to keep track of what the kids may be eating. But if the options you provide are healthy, you and your kids will be in much better shape.
So don't delay! Start implementing a healthy diet for your family today, and soon you'll be including five servings of fruits and vegetable on a regular basis. 5 A Day can mean a healthier family for you. - 31875
We start by recognizing what's at stake. Children face more and more health issues each year. The reports of childhood allergies, diabetes, or even immune deficiencies continue to grow. Then there are the kids who are just generally sick or overweight.
Good habits should start at the beginning. The pregnant mom has a tremendous opportunity to begin instilling a healthy diet before the child is even born. If mom is eating junk during the pregnancy or during breastfeeding, the odds that the child will one day follow suit are huge. There preferences for this kind of food will be set early. So mothers should start their children out right. Providing babies with healthy diets in the womb and at the breast can help children be stronger and healthier.
Of course, children's eating habits, good or bad, are not just gained from experience in the womb or at the breast. Children learn by example too. Parents should always remember that they are being closely watched by little eyes. So eating healthy is just as important for mom and dad as it is for the kids.
A balanced meal through mother's milk would support a stronger immunesystem and minimize doctor visits and illnesses. Eating healthy meals in this way builds children's immune systems before birth, but also gives children the ability to accept healthier meals after birth.
Children learn from their parents and their environment. If you incorporate more healthy eating habits into your life, then it is going to be easy for a child to follow suit and develop those same eating habits. We are bombarded with junk food advertisements everywhere. Itseems that after we have children, we simply forget or alter our eating habits to match our lives with children.
For example, fast food and eating on the go are more convenient. We ignore the fact that they cause damage to our own bodies and to the welfare of our children. Instead of us instilling good eating habits in our children, we take shortcuts, dropping by for a sausage and egg biscuit on the way to work or picking up pizza for dinner. I understand that most of us are always on the go and it is difficult to cook meals regularly. But there are tons and tons of activities we choose over spending time in the kitchen.
With two parents working to support the family, it is even more difficult to control what children eat throughout the day. Bad habits set in and become normal, slowly consuming children's health. Children eat fast foods, even come to school with it, because it is convenient for parents. We teach children that this is normal. Fast food should be eaten on rare occasions only and not be served on a regular basis.
Another way to keep 5 A Day a reality for your family is to be intentional about limiting your bad habits. Cut out the fast foods. Stop doing what's convenient and instead do what's best. Opt for healthy snacks. Even with two busy parents, it's hard to keep track of what the kids may be eating. But if the options you provide are healthy, you and your kids will be in much better shape.
So don't delay! Start implementing a healthy diet for your family today, and soon you'll be including five servings of fruits and vegetable on a regular basis. 5 A Day can mean a healthier family for you. - 31875
About the Author:
Tony Khatemi is a Vegetarian with over 25 years in the field of exercise, nutrition and healthy living focused on digestive health. Living by example is his motto. Pickup a free reports on fruits and vegetable capsules . for the most natural and effective supplements in the world. Please type IBD, IBS, Crohn's or any GIIBD, IBS, Crohn's or any GI related disease in the search box for results.
