Parenting is not a piece of cake (oh, how we wish it were!). There are some days when you have to coax and reward your kids for going to school. However, one of the most challenging tasks for parents is to indulge their children towards healthy eating and living, especially when visual media has taken up the world by a storm. The dependency on this lifestyle has increased manifold during lockdown when everything from sleep routines to eating habits is off the rails. But as they say, the beginning is the most important of any journey; it becomes all the more important to inculcate healthy eating and living habits right from the start.
So read ahead to know some tips and tricks that can help you promote a healthier lifestyle:
1. Set An Example
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Kids are mini versions of you. If they see you lazing around the house, having junk food, always into your phone or it can be as simple as not maintaining hygiene. Children learn by examples, so teach your kids by setting an example of your own. Indulge in healthy eating habits, bond together and exercise with them. Once they notice the amount of importance you place on a healthier and conscious lifestyle, they will slowly develop the habits as their own.
2. Cook And Exercise Together
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If they help you in cooking meals, it can be as little as setting the table or handing you the ingredients, they will consider them a part of the whole process and will most likely eat the food they have help made. Similarly, put down your devices together and indulge in some offline detox before you sleep.
3. Snack Smart And Fix A Schedule
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Now, we are all involved in having healthier main meal options, but interim snacks tend to get super unhealthy. Instead of unhealthy snacks, make tasty yet healthier options. You can make and store granola bars, make sandwiches or wraps from leftover veggies. Also, you can fix up a schedule for some cheat meals. Cheat meals once or twice a week are better than dedicating a day completely to cheat meals. Make an eating schedule beforehand for the week. Include their favourite options, light snacks, sugar treats, and healthy bites and let them decide which day they want what to eat!
4. Hide And Seek
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Guise healthy ingredients in their favourite dish. Mask the flavour with a mix of ingredients to let them know they are having their favourite dish. For example, switch soy with potatoes in burger patty to make it healthier. Crush dry fruits and seeds and add them in the milk.
5. Balancing Is The Key
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Enjoy ice lollies before a meal on a hot day, binging on nachos on movie night is okay. Don’t get over paranoid or too strict. You don’t want your kids to be deprived of these little joys and pleasures. Strike a balance with healthy food and treats, lazy Sundays and active on-the-go Tuesdays.
6. Talk It Out
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Your kids must know the importance of a healthy lifestyle. And they shouldn’t learn it from the science book, but you should introduce the importance at home. Simple things like sitting straight, brushing at night, having a proper sleep routine will help them in the longer run. Don’t induce feat but talk about all the benefits they will reap in both the short and long run.
7. Be Patient With New Foods
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When a child is growing, they are still trying to figure out their patterns, their appetite, taste, likes and dislikes. Sometimes they might not like something in the beginning but develop a taste later, so keep patient when experimenting or introducing new foods. Serve new foods along with your child’s favourite foods. Keep serving your child healthy choices until they naturally form a part of his/her likes.
Also Read: Expert Speak: Right Guidance To Child Care And Development
