Healthy Eating Is For Kids Too

I have asked Diana Walker, author of Craving Secrets, to give us some healthy eating tips for our kids. I felt that Diana, with her 30 years of experience in the Health and Wellness field, could give us some excellent information. Her field of interest is cravings for common foods like sugar, salt, fast food, coffee, soda, fried foods, and carbs.

7 Healthy Eating Tips for Kids
By Diana Walker

A lot of people ask me questions about how they can eat healthy.

A very high priority is the impact that their eating habits have on their children. As a parent, you're responsible for the health and well-being of your child. Nowhere is that more important than in the area of their eating. Healthy eating habits established in childhood can increase your child's chances for a long and healthy life.

These tips will help you improve your kids' eating habits, and also eat healthier yourself. If you set a good example for your kids with healthy cooking and eating, you are going to make a big impact on their life.

1. Eat Whole and Raw Foods

The first tip I'd like to share with parents is that they need to focus their diets as close to nature as possible. I know it can seem like it's hard to take time to prepare healthy meals when you are balancing work, school and other activities. But raw and whole foods are very easy to prepare, and something that your kids will love to do. Unprocessed foods are free of chemicals, additives and other things that your kids shouldn't be eating.

2. Eat lots of Fiber

Fiber is very important to eating right and keeping your system balanced. Adding fiber into your child's diet is easy if you focus on fresh whole foods. Fruits and vegetables have an abundance of natural fiber. You can also substitute white flour products with whole grain products. If you aren't already, make the switch to whole grain bread and pasta and brown rice. Also start to incorporate some of the ancient grains like quinoa, amaranth, spelt, and kamut.

3. Eliminate Sugar

Sugar is a big problem in the average American diet, and it can definitely be a problem in children's diets. You can introduce healthy sugar substitutes into your home to satisfy sweet cravings without all of the side effects. You can cook with agave nectar and stevia to create baked good and other sweet treats. Read the labels on packaged foods to make sure you're not giving your kids extra sugar.

4. Avoid Artificial Sugar Substitutes

If you think aspartame, Splenda and other sugar substitutes are safe, think again. All major artificial sweeteners have been linked to neurological problems, metabolism problems and a whole host of other troubles. Don't feed your kids these harmful chemicals. There are many other natural sweeteners that you can use, like honey, agave necter and stevia, that don't have the side-effects of chemical sweeteners.

5. Provide Lots of Water

Giving your kids plenty of water to drink is important to their overall health. There are a lot of negative effects associated with dehydration, and it's easier to get dehydrated than you might think. Dehydration can cause headaches, muscle weakness, mood imbalances and food cravings. Offer water first before any other beverage, and serve it with silly straws to make it more fun.

6. Plan Ahead

Serving healthy foods gets a lot easier when you plan ahead. The number one reason people feed their children fast food is because of lack of planning. Schedule meals and stock your pantry with quick, healthy alternatives. Don't rely on fast food, pizza and other unhealthy alternatives. Learn how to prepare three to five “emergency” quick meals. Stock up on healthy snack alternatives for your kids, and they'll learn to make the right food choices.

7. Get your kids involved in the kitchen...at any age.

Healthy eating habits are strengthened when your children grow up knowing how to prepare good, quality food. No matter what your child's age, he or she can be a big help in the kitchen. Younger kids can wash, mix and pour. Older children can help measure and learn basic cooking skills. Your teenager can prepare entire meals. Learning how to eat healthy as a family will help you instill good eating habits that will last a lifetime.


Diana Walker, Cravings Coach
www.thecravingscoach.com/blog
Author - Craving Secrets