Document

   

Helping Your Child

Parents and other caregivers can guide children into habits that will support their health for years to come. We know that, as a parent or guardian, you may not have all the answers. Like many Americans, you may even struggle to develop and stick to your healthy habits. One way to win this double battle is to develop healthy lifestyle habits together! Healthy food and drink, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and other factors can help children 

1. Grow 

2. Learning 

3. Building strong bones and muscles 

4. Maintaining a healthy weight 

5. Lowering the risk of diabetes and heart disease 

6. Feeling good about yourself 

Healthy habits 

How can I help my child maintain healthy habits?

 As a parent or caregiver, you play an important role in shaping your child's eating habits. If you make a habit of eating foods and beverages low in sugar, saturated fat, and salt, and high in fiber, the children in your care will learn to like them too. Don't panic if the child in your care doesn't like new foods right away. Children often need to see new food before trying it. 

  • 1. Be a role model. As a parent or carer, you can also influence your child's physical activity. You don't need to be an expert in any activity. Just get up, get moving, and show kids how fun physical activity is. They can also grow to like it. You can set a good example by walking or riding a bike instead of watching TV, playing video games, or surfing the Internet. Find an activity that you enjoy and that you can do together. 
  • 2. Talk about health. As you learn more about how to improve your health, take the time to talk to your child about how a certain food or physical activity can help. Like going for a walk, taking the kids, and letting them choose the route. Discuss how walking can help you feel better and is a fun way to spend time together. 
  • 3. Use your child's food and drink choices as teaching opportunities. Speak up when you see unhealthy choices. Guide your child towards healthier options or say, " You can have a little, but not too much. » Discuss with him why snacks that are too salty or high in sugar are not the best choices. Avoid making them feel guilty about their food or drink choices. You can also praise your child for choosing healthy foods like fruit. Use a review like this: 

1. "Excellent choice!" 

2. " You're giving your body what it needs to munch on! " 

3. "I like it too. " Through physical activity, try these upbeat phrases to keep your child excited "You're running too Come on, I can't keep up!" " You build a strong and healthy heart! " " Let's walk another 10 minutes and make ourselves stronger. " Make sure your child gets enough sleep. 

   Getting enough sleep can improve your child's mental, emotional, and physical health. Lack of sleep can lead to many health problems, including obesity. Find out how much sleep experts recommend based on your child's age links. Believe in the power to change. Know that eating healthy and exercising more are the cornerstones of improving your health. Work together to build healthy habits. Health promotion outside the home. 

  Other adults may also play a role in your child's life. You can share your thoughts on healthy habits with them. For example, many parents and caregivers work outside the home and need the help of others to care for their children. Family members, daycare providers, babysitters, or friends can shape your child's healthy habits. Talk to them to make sure they provide healthy meals, snacks, and drinks. Make sure caregivers also provide plenty of activity time and limit downtime spent on television, video games, or other devices. If your child is in school, there are several other ways to help him develop healthy habits 




1. Find out about the school's lunch and lunch program. 

2. Learn about the school's physical education program and look for opportunities to be active during the school day. Consider other impacts. Your child's friends and media can influence healthy choices, just as they can with you. Some TV, Internet, and other commercials try to persuade children to eat high-fat foods and sugary drinks. 

You can help your child become aware of these stressors. When you and your child watch TV, browse the Internet, or watch movies together, discuss the options with them. Discuss how media and influencers can sell products or communicate value through famous athletes, famous kids, cartoons and action figures, and fictional images. Use apps and ads to spark conversations about your values. These discussions can help your child make healthy choices when away from home. 


Healthy eating habits

 What should my child eat and drink? 

Like adults, children need to eat nutritious food and drink. Also, like adults, children need to consume enough calories to fuel their daily lives and activities. The external link Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, recommends balancing the calories you eat with physical activity. The guidelines also recommend improving dietary habits to promote health, reduce the risk of disease, and reduce overweight and obesity. Encourages Americans ages 2 and up to eat a variety of healthy foods and beverages. 

  Suggested foods include fruits, vegetables, unsalted nuts, and seeds (make sure your child can tolerate these foods and is not allergic to them), and whole grains Skimmed or low-fat dairy products, including milk, yogurt, cheese, and/or fortified non-dairy beverages A variety of protein foods, including seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, legumes (beans and peas), nuts, seeds, and soy products