The largest growing section of the population fighting obesity is children. This country is becoming an overweight nation. We consume too many fats and carbohydrates that are bad for our bodies. By and large, our children will experience more health problems sooner if we don’t do something to turn things around.

Snacks do not have to be unhealthy to taste good. In kindergarten, when the teacher allows children to bring foods for snack time, they usually request that they food be a piece of fruit or something like a granola bar with some nutritional value. Teachers want to avoid kids bringing chocolate, candy, or chips because they are unhealthy, but also because a spike in blood sugar leads to a rapid drop that makes kids sluggish. As parents, we need to follow that rule at home.

The snacks we buy for our children need to be low in fat and sugar. If your child doesn’t want an apple or an orange, try dried fruit. Ocean Spray® makes a snack from dried cranberries called Craisins®. Dried fruit is sweeter because all of the excess water is gone, leaving only the natural taste. Granola bars contain significant amounts of fiber and a little peanut butter or chocolate to make them tasty.

Even if your child has already been exposed to the chips and cookies, it’s not too late to get them on the right track. During meals, cut down the portions sizes. We feel that kids should have a hearty dinner after a long day at school. The truth is the biggest meal of their day should be breakfast. Eating a large, healthy breakfast jump starts the metabolism for the entire day. With food in the belly, your child can think better and concentrate in school. They are less tired as the day goes on because their breakfast is releasing a steady dose of energy to keep them going.

An excellent breakfast consists of a little fat, carbohydrates, and protein. A scrambled egg, a piece of buttered toast, a couple slices of turkey bacon, and a glass of juice or milk gives them the fuel they need to start the day. If you don’t have time to make your child a cooked breakfast, boil a pot of eggs the night before so that they will have a source of protein in the morning. Give them a bowl of cereal like Cheerios® or Kix® cereal, a piece of buttered toast, and a boiled egg. All major food groups should be represented in that first meal.

Exercise of some type is an important part of any child’s day. When my sister’s and I played outside, we released all of our nervous energy. Playing helped us to relax from our hard day at school and also gave us a better night’s rest. To keep your children interested in exercise, do it as a family. Take a walk through the neighborhood after dinner instead of turning on the television. Play a little basketball or some other outdoor game to de-stress from the day. Parents need exercise as well. It is good for everyone.

Talk to your child. Children can overeat because of a problem that is weighing on their mind. In order to cope, they turn to food. Most think that this is an adult problem, but children can turn to food for comfort as well. Let your child know that you are ready to listen to them when they are ready to talk. Being a supportive parent goes a long way to combat obesity.

Stopping the obesity epidemic in children begins at home. Parents need to educate themselves about nutrition and exercise. If you need to change eating habits, then do so. Your children are modeling the pattern of behavior they see in you. Watch what you eat and they will too.

Article by:

Nicole Dean invites you to www.ShowKidstheFun.com — a free website filled with activities to make memories with your children and www.funexercisevideos.com/big-kid-exercise.php — where you’ll find fun exercise for kids.

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