Parents set a good example please, Obesity in Children and Teens

Overweight children and teens has been a popular topic for discussion for many years now. This generation has been bombarded with “on the run food solutions mainly by way of fast food restaurants and drive thru’s . Often, as busy working parents, the example is set from the habits of a fast paced career oriented life, therefore no time for sit down dinners, but rather , a quick run to the drive through or a call for delivery.

Parents …please set a good example, if it’s not one of your New Year’s resolutions or current lifestyle , then make a point of making it one.

Parents can help guide children in the right direction with a few general tips;

1. Parents should ask their kids about what food item they like the most and then prepare food for them that is healthy and less fatty.

2. Prepare only homemade meals for your kids, including green leafy vegetables, other vegetables and fruits.

3. Ensure that your kids are receiving the proper nutrients from food and if not, through proper vitamins and other supplementation.

4. Create guidelines for your household. for example, to eat more salad based foods and to  drink more water daily. This can help you all stay on track as a family and as a team.

5. Stay away from high glycemic foods and turn all the “whites” into “brown” such as whole grains when it comes to cereals, rice and breads

6. Pay attention to portion sizes

7. Pre pack healthier snack solutions that focus on fruits, vegetable and whole grain items especially for school.