Many parents struggle to know which foods are healthy for their children. When they are able to opt for healthy choices, about two-thirds struggle to get their children to eat healthily, a poll of nearly 800 parents found. Developing Patient Partnerships (DPP), which commissioned the survey, said that parents need more support to tackle the growing problem of childhood obesity. Childhood obesity has tripled in the past 20 years, official figures show.
Recent studies suggest that parents do not know what good nutrition is. Perhaps advertising of fast foods, and busy life styles has contributed to this. Nutritional meals can be prepared quickly and simply at home.
Of the parents of children aged 15 years and younger questioned by the DPP, 45% said they found it difficult to work out which foods were healthy for their children. When parents did select healthy foods, 65% said they struggled to motivate their children to eat it. Three-quarters of parents blamed advertising and marketing of unhealthy snacks and drinks for making this job so difficult. Another 87% believed that schools should play a big role in teaching children how to be healthy.
When more than a thousand children aged seven to 16 were questioned about their lifestyles, 70% said they would be more likely to eat healthily and get active if their parents were doing it. Only 16% said they ate the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables per day. This suggests that parents are not making healthy food choices themselves. There are strong links between obesity and ill health. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare lists the following increased risks of cancers in obese people:
Men Women Cancer % Increase Risk Cancer %increase Risk Prostate 23 Uterus 178 Leukaemia 43 Kidney 110 Bowel 53 Bowel 35 Liver 128 Liver 48 Gallbladder 76 Breast 71
Statistics such as these are a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining a healthy weight level. Children must be given every opportunity to have a healthy body. In order to get their family on track to a healthy lifestyle parents need to learn how to feed themselves and their family good nutrition.
A simple way to improve nutrition is to add raw fruit and vegetables to family diets. These are foods that have no preservatives or added color. They provide plenty of vitamins, mineral, antioxidants, fiber, water and trace elements. (All necessary for good nutrition.) They look appetizing and have high water content. They have a firm texture which means we need to chew them well. This aids the digestive system. The body quickly and easily processes them. This means less work for the digestive system. They are natural, that is, not processed and pre-packaged with extra chemicals. They are pure energy ? living foods. Look for different colored vegetables and fruits when you shop. Experiment with ones you have never tasted. Visit a market for more variety and fresher foods. Eat at least one from each group every day.
Red/Purple Group includes tomatoes, watermelon, berries, cherries, and grapes
Orange/Yellow includes carrots, sweet potato, squash, mangoes, cantaloupe, apricots, oranges, mandarins pineapples and many stone fruits
Yellow/green among this group are avocado, spinach, beans, peppers, corn, beans, broccoli, green leafy vegetables,
White/green some in this group asparagus, celery, garlic, leeks, mushrooms, pears
For more information read, "What Color is Your Food" by Dr D Heber.
Experiment with adding these to your daily diet. Of course a balanced diet must also include daily servings of dairy, whole grains and protein. Start with the simple idea of adding more fresh fruit and vegetables to the family's daily food intake. This simple step will have fantastic and long lasting impact on your health.
Cheryl Haining is a skin care, body shape and nutrition coach. She has her own successful business. Her mission statement is to ensure everyone reaches his or her optimum body shape, size and condition. Contact Cheryl at http://www.uloseweight.net. To learn how to create an income stream from home visit http://www.uloseweight.net.
post construction cleaning Deerfield ..Individualism is a common thing in today's modern society. Many... Read More
This past holiday season Canadians spent over $45 billion-with parents... Read More
There's a new trend for party entertainment. It seems as... Read More
Imagine you were the principal of the school that your... Read More
Is there a fathering instinct?Celebrated child development expert Erik Erikson... Read More
Are you being smart about water conservation? Do you consider... Read More
"Good parents give their children Roots and Wings." --Jonas SalkThe... Read More
Maintaining a safe home environment for your childrenAs adults and... Read More
Every week I write something about the stock market -... Read More
This time, I would like to talk about a subject... Read More
Incest is sexual activity, ranging from fondling to intercourse, between... Read More
Did you know that you are the most important person... Read More
Q. We are getting to the stage with our kids... Read More
Children are moral and make moral determinations... at least until... Read More
Your daughter tells you that Uncle Charley has touched her... Read More
Have you ever had this struggle with your teens? Did... Read More
4 traps to avoidTrap 1 - Parents need to realize... Read More
It is human nature to feel competitive and envious toward... Read More
Imagine a child who lacks ownership of his own life,... Read More
As parents and teachers, sometimes we want to praise, at... Read More
There's a phrase that's become popular over the past few... Read More
Are your children truthful, kind, and helpful? If so, read... Read More
WHEN AN INJURY HAPPENS AT CAMP, HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED... Read More
When we talk about attention, we are talking about two... Read More
Many companies advertise their products as being educational. How much... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Bannockburn ..Why are more people, especially parents not outraged?I call it... Read More
As mothers, we play so many different roles and most... Read More
Some people can concentrate on an assignment, to the exclusion... Read More
Being a single mother is no easy task. I know.... Read More
There are so many learning labels floating around these days... Read More
A certain educator was once asked at what point should... Read More
How often do you think of family life as an... Read More
When David was nine and Laura was twelve, the battles... Read More
One of the most powerful tools that parents have for... Read More
My husband and I have a 12-year-old daughter who wanted... Read More
Despite the potentially dangerous side-effects of Ritalin, public school authorities... Read More
From criticizing a spouse, to claming up about one's own... Read More
Depending on where you live school will be starting this... Read More
In June, elementary school children across North America cheered as... Read More
If you were to ask 100 parents why they think... Read More
A common theme over the past 20 years has been... Read More
Many public schools not only fail to educate our children,... Read More
In stepfamilies, big holiday expectations can lead to big disappointment--and... Read More
When a parent is deployed with the military it can... Read More
The Flow of WaterWater is essential for life on the... Read More
As a parent, are you at your wits end? Does... Read More
Giving with a happy heart. If you teach a child... Read More
``Mom, can I go to the mall with my friend... Read More
In his recent newsletter "Happy Kids", parenting expert Michael Grose... Read More
Anorexia nervosa is a serious medical disorder that is statistically... Read More
Parenting |