Happy New Year!
It’s 2010 and for many of us, the new year means trying to stick to diet resolutions. How many times have you said you’ll drop ten pounds or stay away from fatty foods after January 1st?
While we make long lists of strict New Year’s resolutions for ourselves, we forget about our kids, who have been devouring unhealthy foods along with us all through the holidays. Children are freely given all kinds of treats that are high in sugar, saturated fat and salt. Research shows that many young kids take in a whopping four times their daily recommended intake of calories on Christmas Day (Carnegie Weight Management).
It is a special time, and everyone should indulge. I’m not suggesting cutting out your child’s favorite foods over winter break or limiting what they eat at Christmas dinner.
But, it’s a new year, and making a commitment to healthy eating should not only be on your list of New Year’s resolutions, but also on your kids’.
A great way to start eating healthy this year is to plan out weekly family meals. We tend to stock the shopping cart with whatever we’d like during the holidays, or let the kids nibble on snacks throughout the day instead of eating proper meals.
Rediscover veggies – fatty and processed meats tend to be the focus on holiday plates. Use healthy vegetarian recipes, or serve bigger portions of veggies and less meat at mealtimes.
When your kids feel like snacking, don’t let them reach for junk food. Promote healthy eating habits by serving cut-up veggies, fruits, low-fat cheese and nuts. The American Academy of Pediatrics also has a great list of 21 New Years Resolutions for Kids to help them come up with some healthy eating ideas for the year ahead.
Remember, child safety isn’t just about predators, or protecting your kids from immediate danger – it’s about keeping them physically healthy and fit, too. Read my other blog post on childhood obesity to learn how encouraging good eating habits and preventing obesity now will help protect their futures.
