Back to School For Parents: Initiating Healthy Eating Habits For Your Child

by Wendy Davis, MBA, RD, LD

The “obesity epidemic” has influenced both the food industry and consumers to make changes in hopes to encourage a healthier lifestyle. Bills are being introduced to remove vending machines from schools and to improve the nutritional balance of school lunch programs. What is your family doing to ensure healthy eating habits for your kids? How can you be responsible? Or, do you want to be?

Consumer trends research has indicated that the average consumer feels that he or she is most responsible for ensuring a healthy diet and weight for him or herself. How can you in-turn be responsible for the health, weight and well being of your child? There are numerous ways. To begin, you can start with the basics and ask yourself a few questions:

Are you providing your child with three well-balanced meals per day at regular times?

Are you aware of what they are eating and how much when they are at school?

Many parents may leave the responsibility up to their children. As a result of today’s mom being a working mom and both parents leading busy lives, many may admit that they have no idea what their children are eating while at school. For some parents, their children consume two out of three meals per day at school.

Besides relying on the school to teach nutrition education to your child, it can also be your job to lead him or her in the right direction with healthy eating decisions. You can begin your teaching habits by following such resources as the USDA Food Guide Pyramid and 5-A-Day. The Food Guide Pyramid can help you determine if your child is consuming all of the major food groups daily, receiving enough nutrients in his or her diet, and consuming adequate portions of foods. The 5-A-Day program encourages the consumption of five fruits or vegetables total per day. This program can be found by simply visiting your local supermarkets produce section. Signage, labels and stickers will explain it all and provide you with healthy eating education while you’re shopping.

There are many other ways initiate healthy eating habits for your child. Here are some suggestions:

Make meals fun and exciting. Kids will want to stay at the dinner table longer and enjoy their mealtime.

Bring your child grocery shopping with you. Pick and choose foods to go in the lunch box together.

Prepare for your weekly meals in advance. Don’t buy food at the last minute. You may end up just buying whatever is available, instead of stopping to think of what foods are healthy.

Be patient with your child’s eating habits. Kids are picky. They may not want to try five new foods at once. However, they may be more willing to try one new food per week.

Make sure your child is taking a multiple vitamin. If you are not sure if he or she is getting all of the nutrients needed, a multiple vitamin is very beneficial for children. No other vitamin or mineral supplements are necessary, unless your doctor or registered dietitian has recommended additional supplementation.

Network with the mom’s in the neighborhood on their meal selections. Find out what they are feeding their children. You may grab some great ideas for your kid’s lunchbox!

Keep track of new products available at your local supermarket. Numerous manufacturers have already begun to develop and deliver healthy products that are now available in your local grocery store. Keep your eyes open. There may be a product that both you and your children will enjoy!