5 A Day is a slogan put out by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It suggests that eating five portions of fruits & vegetables every day will lead to a healthier life.This sounds great in theory, but turns out to be hard in practice, especially when we try to implement it for our children.
We start by recognizing what's at stake. Children face more and more health issues each year. The reports of childhood allergies, diabetes, or even immune deficiencies continue to grow. Then there are the kids who are just generally sick or overweight.
Good habits should start at the beginning. The pregnant mom has a tremendous opportunity to begin instilling a healthy diet before the child is even born. If mom is eating junk during the pregnancy or during breastfeeding, the odds that the child will one day follow suit are huge. There preferences for this kind of food will be set early. So mothers should start their children out right. Providing babies with healthy diets in the womb and at the breast can help children be stronger and healthier.
We all know how important fruits and vegetables are, especially for the children we're raising, but it can be so hard to make them a priority. Children follow their parents' example. Starting putting your health, and that of your children, before what's "easy" and your kids will soon too.
But how do we incorporate the CDC's suggested 5 A Day of fruits and vegetables when there are opportunities for junk food at every turn? Or when life gets too busy to take the time 5 A Day seems to require?
Limit your trips to fast food restaurants. No more eating on the go! These "quick fixes" at dinner time do more harm than good. Too often we justify them because of the time they save, but in the long run, shortening our lives and compromising our health is not what we want for us or our kids.
It's so much easier to eat on the go. Picking something ready-made up at the grocery store, the neighborhood place or the local fast food joint just makes sense, right? But what about the negative impact that kind of food has on us, on our children? We conveniently forget that, instead opting for what's easiest.
So what solutions are available to us? First, although it is often hard to cook meals regularly, we need to recognize the importance of doing it anyway. Fixing a good healthy meal at home puts the control in our hands and enables us to give our kids the 5 A Day they need. Take an inventory of all the things you choose to do rather than eat at home. You may be able to find a way to make some time - for the good of your family.
Healthy eating is not a fad. It is not to be a once in a while treat. 5 A Day and eating healthy must become a habitual part of our lifestyle. Ultimately, our health and our quality of life depend on it. When we choose healthy eating and healthy living, we extend our quality of life and extend our ability to live a normal life. All of this starts with a simple change in our eating habits.
Be consistent about eating healthy and your kids will learn to accept 5 A Day as normal, not just something to do every few months when mom or dad go on a fad diet. Make eating healthy a habit. A healthy diet is worth it in the long run for the children and mom and dad too. It brings a better quality of life and may even extend your lives. So start with 5 A Day, "the healthy way" for you and your children, and you'll be on your way. Make it more than just a slogan for your family! - 29951
We start by recognizing what's at stake. Children face more and more health issues each year. The reports of childhood allergies, diabetes, or even immune deficiencies continue to grow. Then there are the kids who are just generally sick or overweight.
Good habits should start at the beginning. The pregnant mom has a tremendous opportunity to begin instilling a healthy diet before the child is even born. If mom is eating junk during the pregnancy or during breastfeeding, the odds that the child will one day follow suit are huge. There preferences for this kind of food will be set early. So mothers should start their children out right. Providing babies with healthy diets in the womb and at the breast can help children be stronger and healthier.
We all know how important fruits and vegetables are, especially for the children we're raising, but it can be so hard to make them a priority. Children follow their parents' example. Starting putting your health, and that of your children, before what's "easy" and your kids will soon too.
But how do we incorporate the CDC's suggested 5 A Day of fruits and vegetables when there are opportunities for junk food at every turn? Or when life gets too busy to take the time 5 A Day seems to require?
Limit your trips to fast food restaurants. No more eating on the go! These "quick fixes" at dinner time do more harm than good. Too often we justify them because of the time they save, but in the long run, shortening our lives and compromising our health is not what we want for us or our kids.
It's so much easier to eat on the go. Picking something ready-made up at the grocery store, the neighborhood place or the local fast food joint just makes sense, right? But what about the negative impact that kind of food has on us, on our children? We conveniently forget that, instead opting for what's easiest.
So what solutions are available to us? First, although it is often hard to cook meals regularly, we need to recognize the importance of doing it anyway. Fixing a good healthy meal at home puts the control in our hands and enables us to give our kids the 5 A Day they need. Take an inventory of all the things you choose to do rather than eat at home. You may be able to find a way to make some time - for the good of your family.
Healthy eating is not a fad. It is not to be a once in a while treat. 5 A Day and eating healthy must become a habitual part of our lifestyle. Ultimately, our health and our quality of life depend on it. When we choose healthy eating and healthy living, we extend our quality of life and extend our ability to live a normal life. All of this starts with a simple change in our eating habits.
Be consistent about eating healthy and your kids will learn to accept 5 A Day as normal, not just something to do every few months when mom or dad go on a fad diet. Make eating healthy a habit. A healthy diet is worth it in the long run for the children and mom and dad too. It brings a better quality of life and may even extend your lives. So start with 5 A Day, "the healthy way" for you and your children, and you'll be on your way. Make it more than just a slogan for your family! - 29951
About the Author:
Tony Khatemi is a Vegetarian with over 25 years in the field of exercise, nutrition and healthy living focused on digestive health. Living by example is his motto. Pickup a free reports on fruits and vegetable capsules . for the most natural and effective supplements in the world. Please type IBD, IBS, Crohn's or any GIIBD, IBS, Crohn's or any GI related disease in the search box for results.
