Did you know unhealthy eating habits established early in life may extent into adulthood?
Evidence indicates that dietary habits acquired in childhood persist through to adulthood. Healthy eating patterns are associated with a reduced risk for certain types of cancers, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, overweight and obesity.
Teach your kids to eat healthy. Some healthy eating patterns include:
Make healthy snacks available. Keep fruits and vegetables on hand and ready to eat. Other healthy snacks include low-fat yogurt, peanut butter and celery or apple, and whole-grain crackers and cheese.
Get them involved. Let them help with meal planning and cooking.
Introduce new foods and ask them to eat at least one bite.
Eat your meals together without any distractions. According to a number of reports issued by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University(CASA), children who eat at least five times a week with their family are at lower risk of developing poor eating habits, weight problems or alcohol and substance dependencies, and tend to perform better academically than their peers who frequently eat alone or away from home.
Be a role model. Eat healthy yourself!
Enjoy these fun recipes with the kids:
Ants on a Log:
Cut several stalks of celery in half. Spread with low-fat cream cheese or peanut butter. Sprinkle raisins.
Fruit Kabobs:
Use various pieces of fresh fruit such as: Cantaloupe, blueberries, strawberries, honey melon, and pineapple. Thread fruits onto kabob skewers as desired.