Eating Right and Making Kids Happy at the Same Time

In Joppa, there was a disciple named Tabitha... Acts 9:36

A Christian Women's Website

Eating Right and Making Kids Happy at the Same Time

by Kelly
(Tabitha's Team)

I would say my family has swung back and forth between very healthy eating and total junk mess.

Once my husband and I had been very diligent in eating healthy for a few months. Then my neighbor told me about a comment my son made.

He walked in the door and she was mixing some kind of treat with the mixer. He said, "It used to be that when I saw my mom doing that I knew she was making something good. Now it just means we're having diet pudding."

How do I balance teaching my family healthy eating habits without completely depriving them?

Comments for
Eating Right and Making Kids Happy at the Same Time

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Jan 08, 2010

Helping your Family live Healthy
by: Heleen

Hi Kelly

Thanks for posting your question.

Let me first of all say that I'm so proud of you for working hard at improving your family's health. Obesity, also in children, has become a nation wide problem, and you are being part of the solution by nudging your family to live healthier.

The trick is to do it gradually so that they don't even realize that you're trying to "get them healthy". You will have to be creative, but the results are worth every drop of sweat and tears. Plus, doing it this way will make the changes PERMANENT.

Focusing on dieting and weight loss (or going overboard with "health food") can leave children deprived and upset, causing them to sneak food, or worse, develop a serious eating disorder.

A better approach will be to slowly help your children change their eating habits and become more active.

Also, have a special "family night" with a fun activity. When your kids ask for unhealthy snacks or soda, tell them that their bodies don't really need it but they can have it as an "extra" on "family night"

I got my family on the right track by starting out slowly, with 4 SMALL STEPS.

- Sit down for meals as a family. I know it's impossible to do this every night, especially if you have teenagers living under your roof. But try doing it only for one night and gradually build it up. Keep it fun and light, set the table with salad in a nice bowl, lemon water in a jug, and fresh cut-up fruit. This way everybody will have more options and will be more aware of how much and what they're eating (unlike eating in front of the TV)

- The "only milk and water rule". The amount of sugar (up to 13 teaspoons) in a soft drink is not only calorie filled but saps energy. Not having soft drinks or sugar laden fruit punches in the home at all will help everyone develop new habits. Switching to a lower fat milk will also help and is hardly noticeable.

- Reduce TV time AND computer, video games and other sedentary activities. Believe me you will not be popular, but if you stay consistent in this area and ignore the moping, they will start coming up with amazing adventures,imaginary play and active games.

- Offer healthy alternatives. It is unfortunate but true, if you don't set out the cut-up fruit, vegetables, and nuts, your family will gravitate towards unhealthy food. Also, think active when buying gifts, and help your child find active alternatives. Sometimes kids have simply forgotten that joining friends for a game of soccer or learning a new dance can be just as fun as instant messaging or hanging out at the mall. They might just need a little encouragement, or better yet, a parent that shows them how it's done!

If you need more help to get your family healthy, please have a look at my website. I have some free information for you on childhood obesity, how to get your kids active, and how to become part of the solution.

God bless you in your noble quest to keep your family healthy Kelly!

Warm regards
Heleen

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