Why are Healthy Eating Habits so Important for Children?

 

The early years of life characterizes a time of rapid development at which time your child’s language, cognitive, social and motor skills are being developed. 

During the first three years of life, the brain is also growing at its fastest rate and this represents a critical window of development where proper nutrition is vital.

In 2010 a study revealed just how much of an impact poor nutrition can have on your kids IQ. Those who ate a mainly processed food diet at age 3 had lower scores by age 8.5.  Those eating healthier diets experienced higher IQ scores. 

This is not the only health risk your child can face if they eat a diet of mainly processed foods and snacks.  A poor diet can set the stage for obesity, asthma, eczema and allergies, behavioral problems – from hyperactivity to aggression – as well as inflammatory conditions and autoimmune diseases.  Many of the top diseases are diet related including cancer.

Conventional diet and health recommendations are grossly flawed – a diet too high in carbs and poor-quality proteins and too low in healthy fats.  The source of calories as opposed to counting calories is also more important. 

A healthy diet is based on fresh whole, preferably organic foods and foods that have been minimally processed. 

Here are some ways to encourage your children to eat healthy.

·         First and foremost children learn from example – if you eat well, they’ll eat well.

·         You can offer a couple different vegetables at meals and fruit at snack time.  Kids like to choose.

·         Make vegetables and fruit fun.  Cut them into shapes or make a happy face

·         Remember that raw, fresh and frozen all add up.  If your child won’t eat cooked veggies try them raw

·         Add vegetables to homemade soups, stews and stir fry’s. 

·         Go easy on fruit juices.  They’re full of sugar and calories and fills kids up.  Portions should be small (3 to 4oz). 

·         Use a blender to make smoothies and add frozen, organic fruit and Greek yogurt. The magic bullet or similar all come with handy recipe books.

·         Create your own trail mix with nuts, seeds, oatmeal and dried fruit such as raisins, figs or apricots – go easy on these though as they contain much sugar

·         Teach your older kids how to make their own smoothies using milk, organic soy milk (Silk is great), or almond milk, frozen organic fruit, organic Greek yogurt and a good quality New Zealand whey protein powder.  Smoothies are especially good for teens that don’t eat breakfast as they contain a lot of nutrition and will keep them full.

For more information on how to give your child every chance at optimal health and to reduce the risk of many childhood illnesses including cancer contact michelle@nuhealings.com or visit www.nuhealings.com

 

Excerpts taken from Mercola.com and cancer.ca