Healthy Eating Into Your Child's Habits example essay topic

Human Development Initiating Healthy Eating For Life Parents always want what is best for their children. They strive to provide for them, teach them, and to watch them grow into healthy, loving individuals. Despite this many parents continue to foster a habit that may prevent the goal of good health, unhealthy eating. Americans today consume too much fat, sugar, and food in general and its shows; rates of obesity and weight / diet related diseases such as diabetes are extremely high. In order to slow and eventually put a stop to this trend parents need to not only be aware and informed, but also need to take action and institute healthy eating habits from the very beginning. Americans eat entirely too much.

And the foods we are consuming are not at all healthy, they contain excessive amounts of salt, sugar, saturated fat, carbohydrates, etc. This over eating is not only a severe problem in the adult population but also in America's children as well. Results from a study performed by the Journal of the American Dietetic Association showed that 1 to 2 year olds get 30 percent more of the 950 calories they require a day. It has also been found that another contributing factor to most children's bad eating habits is the fact that they either rarely or never consume vegetables and fruit. Besides the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables children are consuming large amounts of sugar. Wether it be in candy or desserts, soda or sugary fruit juices children are beginning to consume these at very early ages.

Results from another study performed by the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that infants are drinking soda out of baby bottles as early as 7 months of age. In response to these disturbing facts Parents magazine published the preceding article. It outlines 10 steps that can be taken to Manno 2 initiate healthy eating into your child's habits from the very beginning. A child's eating habits begin with the mother. Taste researcher Julie Men nella, PhD states "We " re finding that foods eaten during pregnancy and lactation can influence a baby's willingness to accept those foods later". A mothers influence on eating does not end with lactation, she should continue to model healthy eating.

Mothers should make it a point to not allow their children to consume soda or overly sugary fruit drinks, instead offer water and more importantly milk. Milk provides young children with the essential vitamins and minerals they need in order to grow and maintain strong healthy bones. Food influence begins early and at about 6 months of age most infants are ready to try solid foods. At this time children should be exposed to a wide variety of foods, this will make them more likely to accept and enjoy them later on. Along with supplying many different kinds of foods parents should also make it a point to discuss foods, both healthy and unhealthy. Educating children early will help them make smart food choices on their own.

When it comes to actual meals parents are encouraged to arrange a schedule and stick to it. Snacking should be allowed but only small snacks at appropriate times throughout the day. Size is another issue when it comes to eating habits, meals should be appropriate sizes for the child's age. It is important to remember that if the child is still hungry he or she will ask for more. When it comes to meals parents should also not reward fussiness.

This is often an issue when the child does not like the meal prepared. All too many parents give in by preparing another, most of the time, less healthy meal to please the child. This reiterates the point that parents should offer a variety of healthy foods so that the child can make a healthy decision. Even though parents may be trying to make healthy eating an everyday habit for their Manno 3 kids foods containing sugar such as desserts and candy should not be completely banned. But rather saved for "special" occasions. Nutritionist Connie Dickman says "That sends the message that sweets are for special times rather then an everyday thing".

. Sweets will also become more of an issue as well as fast food when children begin to interact with other children through play dates and school. Children may see that some parents allow their children to have unhealthy foods, parents should be ready to enforce the healthy eating lessons that they have taught. I think this article offered really useful information for parents who are looking for strategies to start their children on the path of life long health. These steps are very reasonable, easy to follow, and easy to initiate, which are critical things for parents who are busy, but still very concerned about what is good for their kids. Reference Sheehan, J. (2004).

Raise A Healthy Eater: Ten Easy Ways To Teach Babies and Toddlers Good Nutrition Habits - For Life. Parents, Volume 79,153-155..