Let Kids Help

One fantastic way to get your children involved in what they are eating, is to have them help. A great way to start is to let them make up their lunch for the next day. Obviously you will need to set some guidelines. For example, when I turned 9 I was allowed to make up my own lunch. In my girlfriends' houses they were 10 and in some others 11. However, we all felt very important and grown up that we were allowed to make up our own lunch. Again, my mom had certain guidelines. We had to pick a lunch meat, fruit or yogurt and bread to put it on (white, wheat, rye or a roll; today wraps are another alternative). As I got older however, I cut down to a half sandwich as I found I didn't always finish a full sandwich. I continue to eat lunch this way today, a half sandwich and some fruit.

Large meals make people full and sleepy, and they cut down on employee's productiveness. Think of what large meals do to your children at school. We want our children alert so that they can learn, not falling asleep at their desks, so let's keep those lunches on the lighter side. You can do this if you provide them with a good breakfast.

By working beside your children and discussing what they eat for lunch (healthy protein, fruit, veggie and healthy carbs) you are helping them to understand the importance of whole foods and the avoidance of junk foods. You are helping them to learn and make smart informed choices and as they get older these good habits will stay with them. They will learn that these types of food will help them feel better and look better, give them more energy. Try to drop the phrase healthy foods from your vocabulary and let them see that the food choices they are making will help them feel so much better. Put the emphasis on how their body is feeling and all the energy they have rather than "that food is bad for you, why don't you eat this healthy food".

I know of one family that actually had the food pyramid on their bulletin board in their kitchen and it helped them to pick out what foods they wanted. Their mom actually let them help plan not only their lunch meals, but the meals during the week also. Everyone got a chance to decide what to eat on certain nights. Again, however, the caveats were there about food choices. They had to pick a protein, vegetable, carbohydrate and fruit. By keeping the food pyramid handy her kids got to see what was available. I also remember her taking out pictures of the various meats (beef, pork, chicken) so they could see what they looked like. In addition, she had a book available with recipes of chicken and rice, corn beef and cabbage, standing rib roast, etc. The book also had the different kinds of vegetables and recipes for different ways to prepare them. It also included different types of salads, lunch meats, breads and fruits. All of the recipes had pictures of what the food looked like. She usually baked a cake or pie over the weekend and they got to have a dessert other than fruit, Jell-O, pudding or fruit cup on Saturday and Sunday.

Unlike today, when we grew up we played outside, rode our bikes, ran around, roller skated, and the list goes on and on. We didn't have computers or computer games. So in addition to the above healthy eating choices you need to plan some activities for your children today other than the television or video games. This is a topic however, for a future article.

Copyright 2005, DeFiore Enterprises

Introducing Keep Kids Fit: A How To Guide For Setting Up And Running Your Own Business In One Year Or Less! Solutions for parents who want healthy children in body and mind! Our motto, "Eat Healthy, Live Healthy, Help Keep Kids Fit" Keep Kids Fit asks the question: Do You Want To Help Foster A Healthy Lifestyle For Your Child! If you answered yes, then visit our web blog at: http://hbsblogs.typepad.com/keepkidsfit/ and visit our website today at: http://www.keepkidsfit.com

---

Bath Time Fun

Bath time can be fun or it can be a... Read More

Parents and Children Working Together

When parents help their children learn to read, they help... Read More

How to Assist Troubled Teens

What parents of a teen haven't wondered where their sweet... Read More

What Do Chinese Water Torture and Arguing with Children Have in Common?

Imagine yourself lying flat on your back, totally strapped down... Read More

Confident Children - Avoid Overparenting

For many years underparenting was perhaps the biggest problem facing... Read More

Are Public Schools Anti-Parent?

Some public schools try to turn children against their parents... Read More

Child Abuse - Survey & Comments

Beyond cases reported to authorities, little knowledge exists on the... Read More

Just What Is A Learning Disability?

A learning disability is defined as a permanent problem that... Read More

10 keys to Developing Your Childs Genius

Would you like your child to be the best that... Read More

15 Ways to Help Kids Like Themselves

1. Tell me something you like about yourself? Help your... Read More

Raising a Self-Sufficient Teen

Teens don't learn responsibility overnight. If you haven't been working... Read More

The Most Innovative New Approach for ADHD, a Natural Remedy

What's new and effective in the treatment of Attention problems?... Read More

How Effective is the Nutraceutical ATTEND with ADHD?

I really like all natural remedy for Attention Deficit Disorder... Read More

How to Teach Anger Management to Your Child

Most of us recognize the continuing escalation of violence around... Read More

My Sweet Little Valentine

Valentine day has always been a special day in my... Read More

Toxic Chemicals, Are Your Children Being Exposed?

You do what you can to keep your little ones... Read More

Americas Public School System --- Brutal and Spartan

The public school system in America has become a dismal... Read More

How Can I Teach My Child To Be Responsible?

Most of us when asked what we want our children... Read More

Speaking on Behalf of Our Children: Stop Blaming the Victims

How many times have you flipped through the pages of... Read More

Achieve Success At School - Parents, Help Your Kids Easily Be Top, Honor-Roll Students!

With the beginning of the new school year coming VERY... Read More

5 Ways To Tell If A Preschooler Is Living In Your House

1. You reheated the same cup of coffee three times... Read More

Useful Jogger Stroller Accessories

There are many useful jogger stroller accessories out on the... Read More

The Benefits of Music Education

Despite serious reductions in funding for arts programs in... Read More

Home And School Education - Your Kids Can Benefit From Both!

Once, as a Learning Support Teacher, I made my way... Read More

Organizing a Car Wash Fundraiser

The key to a successful car wash fundraiser event is... Read More

Teaching Problem Solving Skills to Children with ADHD

Even though the "Stop and Think" movement in ADHD treatment... Read More

What Do You Teach Your Children About Money?

Whether we realize it or not we teach our children... Read More

10 Steps To Prepare You For Life With Children

It's hard to explain to the uninitiated the changes that... Read More

5 Simple Steps Guaranteed To Allow You To Spend More Time With Your Children This Summer

Look around: Your kids are counting sleeps until the last... Read More

The Laid Back Parents Guide to Teaching Your Child to Read

At first I thought of titling this article "The Lazy... Read More

Parenting: 6 Observations on Fatherhood

Just the other day my oldest son asked:"Daddy, am I... Read More

While You Have the Time, Take the Time

Here in Kansas, where we live, the leaves are turning... Read More

Single Mother Sanity Savers Pt. 1

Being a single mother is no easy task. I know.... Read More