10 Health Tips Every Parent Should Impart in Her Child
Instilling healthy habits in a child is a very important requirement for every parent. Childhood is the phase when the body and the mind grow at their fastest paces. Thus, it is very important that the healthy habits become a part of his or her lifestyle. Imparting such a behavior in a child is quite different from doing so in an adult. However, doing so in the stage of childhood ensures that healthy habits do not come in the form of a prescription in the later stages. This write-up states 10 healthy habits and the ways of imparting them in a child.
Start Early with the Greens
Does your child make a face every time you put green on his plate? This is a common problem in many households. The lack of sugar and starch in most healthy foods makes them less attractive than the sweetened junk foods. One way of tackling this is to introduce the child to the green vegetables at an early stage, before the others can pull them into their charm. It has been seen that a child, who has been eating green vegetables from an early stage, continues doing so later into his life.
Eat Together and Lead by Example
A family eating together generates an environment where the child can see the parents and pick up the habit of healthy food on his or her own. This creates a much better chance of the child retaining the habit than when it is forced on him or her. You have to lead by example on the table and this will benefit the whole family.
Turn off the TV
Most modern families have the habit of eating with the TV on. This is especially true in case of breakfasts and dinner. The journal €Psychological Science€ published an article showing that any distractions while eating leads to requiring higher levels of sugar, sour or salt to feel satisfied. If you continue with the habit of eating with the TV on, you will not even realize when all the healthy food in your plate has been replaced with junk.
Fix a Schedule for Meals
This is one of the most important requirements for a healthy life. Most of the functions of our body follow a clock and maintaining the schedule is a good way of staying fit and healthy. Follow a tight schedule for breakfasts, lunches and dinners. The body will soon know when to feel hungry. This reduces the cravings for food at odd hours and ensures that you do not put on weight.
Physical Activity
€All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy€, as the saying goes. You can pretty effectively add €makes Jack an overweight boy€. The muscles and bones, or the framework of the body needs exercise to grow. This can be achieved even with simple walks, a game of football in the playground, etc.
Monitor the Intake of Carbonated Drinks
Carbonated drinks, potato chips and other junk food easily become a hot favorite among children. There is always a phase in childhood when they become inseparable. However, it is very important that their intake is monitored and regulated. Also, make sure your child drinks plenty of water every day.
Set Time Periods for Video Games
Video Games and PC games form some of the most wonderful memories for modern kids. Such games are highly addictive and often take away the perception of time elapsed. As a modern parent, it is important that you fix definite number of hours which the child can spend playing such games.
Set Realistic Goals
Though cultivating discipline is important, it is also important to remember that a child has his or her own limits. Do not be too harsh while setting the goals. Set achievable goals and take it one step at a time.
Let Them Know The Whys
It is a far better idea to explain to the kid (in a manner he can understand) why good lifestyle habits are important. Forcing the habits on the child will only increase the reluctance, thereby increasing the chances of relapse at the first opportunity.
Monitor the Growth of Your Child
Monitoring the growth of your child with regular weight check and health checkups is another important step. It is far better to catch a symptom as early as possible.
The health and fitness of a child often determines the way he or she is going to spend the rest of his life. A sense of confidence is also instilled and this helps him grow from one achievement to the other.
Start Early with the Greens
Does your child make a face every time you put green on his plate? This is a common problem in many households. The lack of sugar and starch in most healthy foods makes them less attractive than the sweetened junk foods. One way of tackling this is to introduce the child to the green vegetables at an early stage, before the others can pull them into their charm. It has been seen that a child, who has been eating green vegetables from an early stage, continues doing so later into his life.
Eat Together and Lead by Example
A family eating together generates an environment where the child can see the parents and pick up the habit of healthy food on his or her own. This creates a much better chance of the child retaining the habit than when it is forced on him or her. You have to lead by example on the table and this will benefit the whole family.
Turn off the TV
Most modern families have the habit of eating with the TV on. This is especially true in case of breakfasts and dinner. The journal €Psychological Science€ published an article showing that any distractions while eating leads to requiring higher levels of sugar, sour or salt to feel satisfied. If you continue with the habit of eating with the TV on, you will not even realize when all the healthy food in your plate has been replaced with junk.
Fix a Schedule for Meals
This is one of the most important requirements for a healthy life. Most of the functions of our body follow a clock and maintaining the schedule is a good way of staying fit and healthy. Follow a tight schedule for breakfasts, lunches and dinners. The body will soon know when to feel hungry. This reduces the cravings for food at odd hours and ensures that you do not put on weight.
Physical Activity
€All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy€, as the saying goes. You can pretty effectively add €makes Jack an overweight boy€. The muscles and bones, or the framework of the body needs exercise to grow. This can be achieved even with simple walks, a game of football in the playground, etc.
Monitor the Intake of Carbonated Drinks
Carbonated drinks, potato chips and other junk food easily become a hot favorite among children. There is always a phase in childhood when they become inseparable. However, it is very important that their intake is monitored and regulated. Also, make sure your child drinks plenty of water every day.
Set Time Periods for Video Games
Video Games and PC games form some of the most wonderful memories for modern kids. Such games are highly addictive and often take away the perception of time elapsed. As a modern parent, it is important that you fix definite number of hours which the child can spend playing such games.
Set Realistic Goals
Though cultivating discipline is important, it is also important to remember that a child has his or her own limits. Do not be too harsh while setting the goals. Set achievable goals and take it one step at a time.
Let Them Know The Whys
It is a far better idea to explain to the kid (in a manner he can understand) why good lifestyle habits are important. Forcing the habits on the child will only increase the reluctance, thereby increasing the chances of relapse at the first opportunity.
Monitor the Growth of Your Child
Monitoring the growth of your child with regular weight check and health checkups is another important step. It is far better to catch a symptom as early as possible.
The health and fitness of a child often determines the way he or she is going to spend the rest of his life. A sense of confidence is also instilled and this helps him grow from one achievement to the other.
