5 Tips for Raising Fitter Kids

Allow me to be blunt: Our children are fat and they are getting fatter.

While there are many opinions as to the solutions to this epidemic problem - one thing is certain: It starts in the home.

Here are 5 basic strategies for raising healthier, fitter children.

This one may border on harsh. I don't know how many times I've heard parents tell me "he only eats french fries". If french fries were an option every meal, I'd probably only eat them too, if I were 4. As parents our jobs aren't easy. Despite what big food companies would have us believe, children should not be placed in charge of what they eat. Placating a whining child with a sugar/fat/salt bomb does the trick short-term, but making high/empty calorie foods a daily option will send them down a very unhealthy path.

It doesn't matter what you do, just get out there and play. Take the lead and bring the kids outside or to a community center or an indoor pool if it's raining outside. On that note, why let a little rain stop you? Put on the raingear and jump in some puddles.

With non-traditional working schedules and dual-income families, meal times are often on-the-go, fast, or even non-existent. Aside from the obvious benefits of generally healthier meals, it makes for great family bonding time and reduces the likelihood of children taking up smoking, drinking, and drug use. Make time for this at all costs.

Contradiction to point #1? No! Giving choices within the context of healthy eating should be encouraged. Have children pick a recipe, pick their own fruits/veggies and have some say in meals, as well as help out with preparation. This will help empower them to make decisions.

Or an individual sport - something active. Even if your children are less oriented towards athletic pursuits, there are a wide range of active options that will appeal to a wide variety of interests. In addition to helping keep kids fit, being part of a team or a sport in general can help foster teamwork, cooperation and build self-esteem.

Image Credit: icultist

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5 tips for adding Fitter Kids

Let me be blunt: kids our fat and they receive fatter.

While there are many opinions to work around this problem, one thing is the epidemic-bang: starting at home.

Here are 5 of the basic strategies for increasing children healthier, fitter.

This one might border on malignant. I don't know how many times I hear parents told me "they only eat potatoes." If the potato as an option for every meal I would eat them too. If I were 4 as parents, our job is not easy, even big companies are food, we believe. Children should not be put like things they eat Placating child whining mine sugar/fat/salt no fraudulent short but high-calorie meals/drinks daily options are sent down a path very unhealthy.

No matter what, you just get out there and play. To apply and take the children outside, or community or indoor swimming pool, if it is raining outside. On that note, why, a little rain stop you? Placed on the raingear and skipped in some puddles

A work schedule of non-traditional and dual income families. Time is often eaten on the go, or even no addition to the obvious benefits of healthier food in General, it makes for a great family bonding time and reduce the likelihood of children use tobacco. Drinking and drug use, this time at all costs.

Point # 1 Contradiction is not! The options within the context of healthy eating should be. Have children get recipe received fruits/veggies in their own and have some say in food as well as help out this preparation will help make their decisions.

Or an individual sport-an active, even if your child is at least put into sports pursuits have options that will appeal a variety of interests. In addition, helps children fit as part of a team or sport in General can help foster team. Cooperation and create a hit

Image credit: icultist

View the original article here