3 Healthy Eating Habits to Teach Your Kids
By Genevieve Cunningham
Breaking poor eating habits can be especially difficult. If you’re used to donuts for breakfast, switching to egg whites can be quite the challenge. Unfortunately, once eating habits are established, it takes serious dedication and willpower to make any significant changes. Wouldn’t it be better to practice good habits from the very beginning? While you can’t go back in time and change your own eating habits, you can definitely pass on better habits to your children, thus setting them up for a healthier life. If you’re interested in making a positive change in your family life and your children’s future, take a look at these eating habits that you should be teaching every day.
Stop Before You’re Full
Far too many people only stop eating when they feel absolutely stuffed. If you’re waiting until this happens, you’re eating too much! It takes a few minutes for your stomach and your brain to get on the same page. This means that you’re probably full before you ever get the feeling. Teach your kids to stop when they feel satisfied. Give it a few minutes, and if they’re still hungry, eat some more. This can discourage overeating and promote healthy portions.
Snack Properly
Snacks can be incredibly good or incredibly bad. It all depends on how you use them. If you’re snacking all day on chips and soda, you’re doing it wrong. Snacks should be healthy -- think fruit, veggies, cheese, etc. -- and they should be eaten in moderation. Give your kids a schedule for snacks, and only offer healthy options to teach them the value of proper snacking.
Drink Water
If you let kids drink kool-aid, sodas, or juice all day, they will absolutely choose this option. Drinking flavored drinks all day is a very difficult habit to break. But it’s also crucial for better health. Offer your children water -- or perhaps flavored water -- while you still have control over their diet. This may help them develop a taste for this healthy drink that can last a lifetime.
Teaching your children healthy eating habits is important. Whatever they learn as kids will likely stick with them into adulthood. Give them a head start in the health department. With a little guidance, you may be able to set your children up on a path to health and wellness for the rest of their lives.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Clifton Park, N.Y.
