Raise Health-smart Kids

We all want our children to grow up as fit, healthy, and energetic individuals. Children normally tend to copy their parents in everything that they do. If you, as a parent, are confused on what you should be doing, no need to worry.

We have compiled a list of habits that you can inculcate in your child to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Start the Day off Right

Breakfast is probably the most ignored meal of the day, and that's what should not happen. Studies have shown that breakfast is the most important meal one can have. It helps in maintaining a healthy body weight and proper sugar levels. Skipping breakfast on a regular basis can give rise to lower energy levels and even increase the risk of diabetes.

A quick meal of processed food in the morning won't do any good either. A breakfast rich in protein and fibre is the way to go. Recommended intake includes eggs, cereal with milk, whole-grain bread with cheese and fruits. With the chaos of morning, proper planning is the key to a healthy breakfast.

Getting adequate sleep is one of the secrets to healthy living. Keep a tab of how much sleep your child is getting and make sure it's enough. This is easier said than done, but establishing a pre-sleep routine has been found to work wonders in children. Getting adequate sleep results in improved focus, boosts attention span, promotes growth, and maintains body weight. Conversely, lack of sleep can result in diabetes, obesity and a short attention span.

Bring Fitness into Every Day

Getting adequate exercise is important not only for adults, but also for kids. In the case of little ones, experts recommend an hour of exercise in a day. You can take the initiative by organising family time around physical activities. You can also enrol them in classes that are high on physical activities such as swimming or karate. An active child is bound to have better self-esteem and motor skills as compared to those who are aren't.

Dining is a great way of checking your child's eating habits as well as promoting healthy ones. Sitting at one table allows you to have an influence on what your children eat. When they watch you lapping up vegetables and fruits enthusiastically, they are more likely to repeat the same action. Over dinner, new and healthy foods can be introduced into their diet and good eating etiquettes can also be taught. Research shows that children who sit down with their families at least three times a week are:

• 24% more likely to eat healthy foods
• 12% less likely to become overweight
• 20% less likely to eat unhealthy foods

Snack on Healthy Foods

Having healthy meals is good, but snacking on healthy food is even better. Children often feel hungry between meals and reach out for snacks kept in the house. So, do not stock up on processed foods, instead fill your snack compartment with healthy options such as dry fruits and fruits. In doing so, you will make sure your children are eating right all the time. Changes in eating habits take time and won't come overnight. Educate your children about eating smartly and not gorging on anything and everything that is offered to them.

These lessons will go a long way towards your children leading a happy and healthy life.