How to inspire your children to develop healthy eating habits
You may be aware of the growing obesity epidemic among American adults, but did you know that obesity in children is also on the rise? This is an issue to be aware of, especially if you have small children in your home.
The KTLA news Health Watch recently reported that 1/3 of the children in this country are obese, which is a very alarming statistic. If action is not taken regarding their food/drink choices and the amount of physical activity, these children are likely to face health-related problems much sooner than expected.
So, if you know your family consumes an excessive amount of chips, sodas, cookies, not to mention frequent fast food excursions, it may be time to make a change that will impact not only you and your spouse, but also also to their children.
By instilling the importance of healthy eating along with its benefits to the body, your children will grow up with a greater respect for healthy living. Simply put, the way your children eat and drink in their youth is likely to continue as they become teenagers and adults. The unhealthy habits that children have when they are young will often stick with them as they get older.
Depending on your children’s ages and current eating habits, getting them to eat healthy may or may not be difficult to implement. You may even need to show them pictures or videos about the consequences of obesity and what can happen later in life if they are not health conscious in their youth to motivate them to make a change now. You know your family best, so you may need to get a little creative to make this work for everyone.
A fun way to start developing healthy eating habits at home is to make it a family game.
First, think about the most important changes you want to start making in your family’s nutrition. What would you consider to be the least healthy eating habits your family/children have? Focus on that first.
Set a short-term goal, such as not having sodas, chips, or unhealthy fast foods for a month. If everyone in your family sticks, everyone will win a reward, like a miniature golf trip or an ice or roller skating excursion.
Discuss it as a family and come up with something you all agree on so everyone is motivated to continue the healthy eating challenge.
If you feel like a month is too long to start, take it a week at a time. Then, on a Sunday afternoon or evening, everyone gets a little treat, like a trip for frozen yogurt or a movie night with popcorn.
You can lengthen the time frame as everyone gets used to the new healthy eating habits, and naturally increase the amount of the reward accordingly. In other words, after successfully completing a one-week challenge, try a two-week challenge next, then a three-week challenge, etc.
Finally, come up with a creative name for your family challenge, such as “The Healthy Harpers” or simply “Our Healthy Eating Goal.” Make a poster or printout that you can place in a visible, high-traffic area to help serve as a reminder for everyone in your family to adhere to it.
You can even use daily stickers or stamps (especially for young children) to keep track of when healthy eating habits have been maintained. Another fun way to keep score is by using marbles in a jar. Each member gets to put a marble in the jar at the end of a day of healthy eating. When the jar is filled to a certain point, the prize is won.
Making health a top priority in your family requires planning and a willingness to try something new. Your children may have some whining or complaining, but don’t give an inch if you’re determined to improve your family’s health because it will be worth it.
You are in charge of your home and know in your heart that the decisions you are making now will help your family in the future. Remember, your house means your rules, but now your healthy eating rules.
