Are your kids eating right??

We often find that parents get stressed out to make their children eat right things and in right time. Bearing the strict schedules Children often question parents or rather to be precise their mother as to why should they maintain regular timings and proper food pattern? why cant they jump the rule? Poor moms find it hard to reply this question to children's content.
 
On average, we eat 4-6 times each day – including snacks - with almost one third of food being eaten outside of the home. This trend of ‘eating on the go’ is predicted to grow.

It can often be difficult to find well balanced meals or snacks when out and about - you are more likely to eat a balanced meal when you are in control of what, and how much, you put on your plate.

Lets  see if we can help those moms  with some tips to convince them.
 
* Eating habits always helps in regularizing the digestion process
 
* Regular pattern will control over eating, coz your tummy knows the time cry hunger

* Eating right things at right time will enhance the absorption of energy into our system

  for Eg: if we eat too much sugars or oily food at nights they  tend to pile up as fat, as our body tends to be more lazy at nights. But the same sugars or oil will help in getting energy for the days work if we eat it in the morning coz our body will be mobile the whole day.
 
Now some suggestions to Moms too..
 
* Quit the "clean-plate club."

Let kids stop eating when they feel they've had enough. Lots of parents grew up under the clean-plate rule, but that approach doesn't help kids listen to their own bodies when they feel full. When kids notice and respond to feelings of fullness, they're less likely to overeat.

* Start them young.

Food preferences are developed early in life, so offer variety. Likes and dislikes begin forming even when kids are babies. You may need to serve a new food a few different times for a child to accept it. Don't force a child to eat, but offer a few bites. With older kids, ask them to try one bite.

* Rewrite the kids' menu.

 Who says kids only want to eat hot dogs, pizza, burgers, and macaroni and cheese? When eating out, let your kids try new foods and they might surprise you with their willingness to experiment. You can start by letting them try a little of whatever you ordered or ordering an appetizer for them to try.

* Drink calories count.

Soda and other sweetened drinks add extra calories and get in the way of good nutrition. Water and milk are the best drinks for kids. Juice is fine when it's 100%, but kids don't need much of it — 4 to 6 ounces a day is enough for preschoolers.

* Put sweets in their place.

Occasional sweets are fine, but don't turn dessert into the main reason for eating dinner. When dessert is the prize for eating dinner, kids naturally place more value on the cupcake than the broccoli. Try to stay neutral about foods.

* Food is not love

Find better ways to say "I love you." When foods are used to reward kids and show affection, they may start using food to cope with stress or other emotions. Offer hugs, praise, and attention instead of food treats.

And last but not the least…
 
* Kids do as you do.

Be a role model and eat healthy yourself. When trying to teach good eating habits, try to set the best example possible. Choose nutritious snacks, eat at the table, and don't skip meals.

--Pushpa