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2012年9月22日 星期六

Dieting For Children


It is hard to see so many children literally overburdening their bodies at such young ages by being obese. These kids cannot run, jump or play with other children because their bodies just will not allow them to do so. Dieting is a necessity for these kids despite our best efforts to insulate them from the self-esteem problems that often go together with obesity.

If you have a child that is well outside the average weight range for his or her age, you are the one who must take the necessary steps to make certain that they shed those excess pounds in order to live a life that is as close to normal as possible. The first thing you have to do however is talk to your child's doctor about the best possible course of action to look after the health of your child.

Put quite bluntly however, if you do not make the effort to help your child to shed those pounds you are placing the health of your child at risk. We do not let our children play in the street, we do not let them run around with guns, why on Earth would we permit them to commit suicide by chocolate? If you have a child that is obese, the following advice should assist you and them with their dieting.

First of all, do not make food a punishment or a reward. Food is part of the difficulty with your children and you should not use it against them. Instead, introduce them to healthy alternatives. Do not keep junk food in the house and do not let them purchase lunch at school. Pack their lunches for school so that you know what they are eating. If you do not give them junk food to take away and they cannot have it when at home, they will be better off.

Include healthy snacks into your family's eating routine rather than junk food. Fresh fruit, chopped vegetables, nuts, and frozen yogurt are good healthy snacks for your children. When in doubt, check with the food pyramid but watch calories in the process. You want your kids to eat a well balanced diet and stop eating junk food and sweets.

Cut out the juices and pop. This may be a huge ordeal in your house but the greatest gift you can offer your child is a deep and long-lasting liking of water. Water works to make their stomachs feel full and keeps them hydrated for the additional exercises you should be introducing into their routines.

Have them take dance lessons, take up a sport, or simply get out and run around the yard. The worst thing you can do is to allow your children to become comatose television, computer, or video game zombies. Get them out of the house and get them active. This helps in two ways. First of all, they are not stuffing their faces if they are outside playing and having a good time. Second, they are burning calories as they play which is a huge bonus in the dieting process of your children.

As your child begins to lose weight, you should begin to see a very profound difference in not only the way he or she bears his or herself but also in his or her interaction with others. Your child will notice a renewed self-confidence as the pounds come off and the teasing at school stops.

If you are at a complete loss as to how to help your child take the weight off there are camps that are intended expressly to deal with weight problems and building self-esteem in children aged 7-19. A camp may be just the answer you are looking for. Another thing to consider is to lead by example. If you do not eat junk food, if you are active, and if you do not engage in emotional over-eating your child will not be learning those behaviours from you or having them reinforced by you.




Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with why can't I lose weight. If you have an interest in losing weight, please go over to our website now at Why Can't I Lose Weight?





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2012年9月21日 星期五

Balanced Diet For Children


While developing a balanced diet for children is not hard, you do have to keep in mind that what works for adults does not work for kids. Children in general are much more active than adults and since they are still growing, they need to eat foods that are highly nutritious. Children develop life long eating habits when they are young as well, so presenting the correct food groups is very important. If a child learns how to eat correctly when they are young, they are twice as likely to eat healthy as they become an adult.

How Nutrition Can Affect Growth

Protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals contribute to different aspects of development including proper bone and teeth growth. It is estimated that approximately 96% of children do not consume the correct amount of these foods as recommended by the food pyramid. This can lead to a host of health problems that could range from dental problems such as cavities and gum disease to bones that are weak and brittle. Iron is also absorbed from these foods and is needed for proper cell transportation of oxygen. For children to develop properly and be healthy, foods from all food groups should be included every day.

How Nutrition Affects Education

Recent studies have shown that children who lack the proper diet often have lower test scores. Improper nutrition is also directly linked to aggressive behavior and problem with attention in class. In order to provide your child with the tools needed to obtain a proper education, you must include a healthy diet.

What Makes a Child's Diet Healthy?

Children need to have foods that are a good source of energy for their daily activities. Each of the major foods groups should be included in a child's daily diet plan. Include starches like bread or pasta, fruits and vegetables, meats and protein sources, and dairy products, such as milk. Fat is another of the food groups but this should include essential fatty acids like those in fish. If you follow the food pyramid, it will explain exactly how many servings of each food group are recommended.

What Your Child is Missing if they Don't Eat These Foods

Your child could be lacking in vitamins A, C, and D if they do not consume the proper quantities of nutritional foods that contain essential vitamins and minerals that are necessary for growth. These vitamins are used for bodily processes that occur in the brain, blood and skeletal structure.




Lose-11-Pounds.com have a FREE report Lose Weight Without Starving Yourself which can be downloaded Here.





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2012年9月19日 星期三

What Is Healthy Food for Children?


Some of you might think that eating a well-balanced diet for adults is considered healthy food for children as well. This is not entirely true. Although there is nothing really wrong with kids eating a nutritious adult meal, kids require a specific nutritional profile to fully address their growth and development needs. It is vital to cook healthy food for children not only to supply their specific nutritional requirements, but also to provide a solid foundation for proper nutrition that lasts well into adulthood.

The Four Food Groups

Back in the day, I grew up in a family where healthy food for children consists of the four major food groups and the food pyramid. My parents educated us on the value of proper nutrition at a very young age. We used to have milk and cereal for breakfast, meat and vegetables for lunch and dinner, and fruits in between and after meals. Junk food was rare and we were asked to eat healthy alternatives instead.

The same is true today. Healthy food for children still follows the same philosophy: grains, dairy, meat, fruits, and vegetables. Kids should never fall into a food rut. It is important to experiment with new flavors each month. Cooking healthy food for children should include a variety of food flavors. As soon as kids can eat hard food, try to mix new food pairings that will entice their palate and appetite. A variation of flavor in healthy food for children can help open their minds to the wonders of healthy eating. This will become an invaluable skill as they grow older.

Be Wary of the Fast Food Habit

Some parents find it hard to cook healthy food for children due to their demanding schedule. The best way to save time is to prepare simple, delicious, and nutritious meals. You can get recipe ideas from books, magazines, and even online. Try meal planning to save time and energy in deciding what to cook for the coming weeks. Try not to reward kids with fast food, and don't let it be your default meal due to a busy schedule. I'm not suggesting that you should never eat fast food again. The important thing to remember is that fast food can be a tempting excuse not to cook healthy food for children.

Invite Kids in the Kitchen

What better way to entice your kids to eat healthy than to invite them in the kitchen. The next time you're cooking healthy food for children, ask them to help you wash, stir, or prepare the ingredients. Cooking healthy food for children is a great way to bond with your kids, while teaching them simple cooking techniques, proper nutrition, and food appreciation. There's a higher chance for kids to eat new foods that are healthy when they are involved in the preparation.




Katherine Trillin is a freelance writer and novelist. Her struggles with weight loss and drastic changes in health and lifestyle led her to start a health and fitness website called HealthAdventurer.com [http://blog.healthadventurer.com]. The goal of Health Adventurer is to bring reliable, basic health and fitness information to those looking for answers regarding weight loss, diet and other health issues

Katherine Trillin

Health Adventurer [http://blog.healthadventurer.com]





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The Importance of Feeding Young Children the Right Foods


We have all heard doctors and nutritionist talk about the importance of getting a well balanced diet. How many of us believe that we are eating correctly? What about our children? Why is it so important for a child to eat healthy food?

Whatever we eat affects every cell in our body. Eating healthy helps us to grow and develop correctly. When you look at the children in underdeveloped countries who have a very poor diet, most of them are extremely thin with very large bellies. Many of these children do not make it to adolescence.

A typical diet should supply all the nutrients, minerals, and vitamins needed for proper growth and development. Proper nutrition carries its greatest influence during infancy to childhood, when the body is actively growing. There are many wonderful books available on nutrition. Your pediatrician should have literature on what to feed your baby as they develop from birth to childhood. If you are vegetarian, be cautious about placing your infant and young children on a strict vegetarian diet. Do your research.

Food contains carbohydrates (bread, cereal, rice, pasta, potatoes), protein (meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, nuts, milk, cheese), lipids (fats, oils), vitamins, minerals and water. All six of these nutrient groups are found in foods in varying amounts. A healthy diet may supply all the essential nutrients and calories for typical growth and development during childhood.

At least half of all calories consumed should come from carbohydrates. High carbohydrate food produces fuel and provide energy for the brain. Carbohydrates can be stored in the muscles and released as needed for energy.

Protein should be 10 to 15% of the total calories consumed. Protein provides amino acids which help with new tissue, hormones, enzymes, and antibodies. It also proceeds nitrogen, which helps to keep tissue healthy. Generally speaking, animal protein is higher in essential amino acids then plant protein. A lack of protein in the diet, especially during infancy, can lead to a reduction in growth rate and muscle depletion.

Lipids (or fats) are another important source of energy. They are also involved in the maintenance and well being of membranes, hormones and cellular signals. Fats produce energy, give food its taste, and make us feel full. Fats are also what generally cause us to gain weight, have cholesterol problems, and can cause blockage in the arteries. Infants require a higher percentage of fat calories then older children.

Vitamins stimulate metabolic reactions without being used up. Fresh food contains vitamins naturally, while they are added to processed foods. If a child is eating a well-balanced diet, they should not require vitamin supplements. Consult with your pediatrician before giving your child vitamin supplements.

We all need various minerals to ensure appropriate body functioning. Minerals such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, help with the formation of bones, teeth and for normal muscle contraction. Potassium, chloride, and sodium maintain the body's fluid balance. Having a mineral deficiency, even in the minerals which you only need a minute amount of, can cause some major health problems. Talk with your pediatrician if you think your child may suffer from a mineral deficiency.

Water is essential for life. It is important in the prevention of constipation and dehydration. Water transports nutrients to and waste products from cells, helps to regulate the bodies temperature and is involved in metabolic reactions.

Fiber, although not listed as one of the essential nutrients, is important in your daily diet. Fiber, in the proper amounts, helps to keep your gastrointestinal track healthy.

You can find more detailed information on the Food Pyramid by visiting

www.mypyramid.gov There are also some very interesting website for kids that will help them make the right choices in eating.




Wendy Greif is a mother and graduate of USF in Special Education. She has taught children with various disabilities in both South Carolina and Florida. Mrs. Greif operates an informational website for parents and caregivers of children and/or adults with special needs ([http://www.specialneedschildrenandadults.com]).





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2012年9月18日 星期二

Special Vitamin Needs For Children - Do Kids Really Have Different Nutritional Needs Than Adults?


Encouraging both children and adults to eat a healthy and well balanced diet has always been advised by nutritionists the world over. In fact teaching children to make the right food choices is in their best interest as they will retain these good habits even as they grow older. However, most children today don't know how to make the right food choices simply because their parents aren't aware of what the 'right' food choices are.

The essential vitamins and minerals required for a child's growth are all found in healthy foods like fruits,vegetables,lean meat and dairy products. However most often children pass up such healthy options for the more unhealthy junk food that is so readily available these days just because it tastes better.

For a child, consuming ice cream,candy,pizza,fizzy drinks and drive through fast food sounds much more appealing than the drab health foods they should be eating.

In the food pyramid junk fatty foods form just a tiny percentage and should be consumed only in small quantities. Yet we find many children eating such unhealthy foods at every meal or in between as snacks.

The main reason why children today suffer from obesity and weight problems is because they are consuming unhealthy and processed foods which hardly supply the daily recommended doses of vitamins and minerals . As a result they end up with vitamin deficiencies because the body is able to process only a few on its own and the rest of the nutrients have to be supplied through healthy nutritious food.

During the growing phase , a child needs a lot of Vitamin D. It is essential to the development of healthy teeth and bones. However because of unhealthy food habits diseases such as Rickets which was once thought to be under control have resurfaced. Its symptoms include a thin brittle skull and bones that are soft and deformed. If a child suffers from Rickets their teeth may not grow properly and other bones in the body such as the joints and ribs may experience abnormal growth. Thus, the entire skeletal system is adversely effected.

Many parents are unaware that a problem might exist because deficiencies in other vitamins do not produce such obvious effects. Vitamins provide the backbone for proper bodily functions including vision,growth hormones, production of red blood corpuscles and aid in the proper development of the immune, circulatory and digestive systems as well.

It is high time we paid attention to the kind of food our kids eat. Try and introduce more vitamin enriched foods into their diet. Also try and encourage your child to take a vitamin supplement that will be beneficial to them. These supplements are readily available to chew or swallow and not only do they taste good they also help in their growth and development.




Tired of reading outdated fitness and health articles on the web? Well, wait no longer, check out http://www.1-stop-fitness.com for up-to-date information on vitamin supplements and children and benefits of vitamin d.





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2012年9月14日 星期五

Milk Recommendations for Children


The first thing a child intakes as soon as he comes to this planet is milk. However, with time, most kids start disliking the taste of milk and move onto other foods. To a certain extent, this trait is healthy. However, if your kid completely stops drinking milk then it's a dangerous signal. Milk is quite important for kids. It is full of calcium and calories that are required for the proper nourishment of your kid. Do you know milk has its own food group? There are so many types of milk out there you can make your child drink such as cow milk, soy milk, condensed milk, almond milk, and the like. If you think after your child has crossed the age of 3 milk is no longer important then you are wrong my friend. Milk is and will be important for every person on this planet till the day he or she dies.

Milk Recommendations for Children:

Mostly, it is recommended for toddlers to drink whole cow's milk. They should be on cow's milk as soon as they are 1 year old and then they should go onto reduced fat milk after they cross the age of 2. However, if your kid is allergic to milk then these recommendations don't imply. Also, if your kid is overweight then you should keep him on low fat milk since the age of 1. Remember, if your kid is on toddler formula or breastfeeding then he doesn't need to drink additional milk.

Determining Your Kid's Requirements:

Generally, your kid's milk requirements can be determined through his age. The food pyramid has the following recommendations:


Children between the ages of 2 and 8 should drink at least 2 cups or one glass of milk each day.
Children between the agesof9 and 18 should have at least 3 cups or one and a half glass daily.

Please remember that these guidelines only apply to children under normal conditions. Premature babies or overweight toddlers must not be given these dosages. Also, kids who are allergic to milk shouldn't be given the above dosages. In such situations, it is always best to talk to your doctor about your child's condition. Mostly, doctors recommend fat free milk or other types of milk to children.

Conclusion:

While milk is considered good only for toddlers, it is also very healthy for children above the age of 3. As a responsible parent, it is your duty to make sure your kid is drinking enough milk.




Want to know more about what your child should eat and what not? Read the book 'Tommy the Tomato' to know more about it. Here's where you can find it: http://www.tommythetomato.com/





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2012年9月11日 星期二

Healthy Options for Children Living in a Fast Food World


We have all seen the news articles about parents suing fast food restaurants for their children's obesity. Whether we side with the Golden Arches or the parents on the issue, the fact of the matter is obesity is a rising problem for our nation's children. Diets consisting of processed chicken nuggets, grease-laden French fries, and sugar-filled soda are doing nothing but expanding our children's waistlines.

With an ever-increasing number of households where both parents work, people are looking for quick and easy dinner options. Sadly, restaurants like McDonalds and Burger King are all too happy to meet that need. Let's take a look at how the average kid's meal stacks up nutritionally to the Food Pyramid recommendations for children The average chicken nugget kids meal contains 520 calories and 23 grams of fat. A typical cheeseburger kids meal contains 650 calories and 25 grams of fat.

According to Recommended Energy Intakes for Children, 1-3 year olds need 1,300 calories per day, 4-6 year olds need 1,800 calories per day, and 7-10 year olds need 2,000 calories per day. So depending on the meal chosen and the child's age, they could have easily consumed half of their calories for the day with just that one meal. That's not leaving much for the remaining two meals and any snacks. It's no wonder obesity is becoming such a problem with many children consuming way more calories than are recommended.

Then we have the whole issue of fat. It is recommended that the amount of calories from fat be less than 30% of the total calories. All of those meals provide way too much fat. Too much fat in the diet can lead to big health problems for these children in the future. Among those health problems are heart disease and high blood pressure.

In addition, these meals provide no fruits, vegetables, or whole grains. All of those are vital to a healthy child's diet to ensure that they are getting all the vitamins and minerals that they need. For example, an 8 year-old child needs 1.5 cups of fruits and vegetables. The Happy Meals provide none of the half cup they should be getting at each meal.

So what can busy parents do to ensure that children are eating healthier when a busy schedule dictates meals need to be eaten quickly? A good option for busy parents is once a month cooking. All meals for a month are made ahead and frozen. They meals are then thawed and reheated when needed. This ensures that the family will always have a healthy meal when time is tight. The whole family can get involved in the planning of healthy meals. The kids can help cook too! That way those unhealthy Happy Meals can be avoided entirely.

Many parents are faced with picky eaters. So what is a parent to do if their child refuses to eat anything but the regular fast food fare? Find ways to make their favorites at home and make them healthier. Chunks of chicken can be coated in crushed Fiber One cereal and baked for a yummy Chicken Nugget alternative. Homemade French Fries can be lightly sprayed with olive oil and baked until crunchy for a heart-healthy alternative to deep-fried French fries. Be sure to offer a variety of fruits and vegetables as sides. Your child may protest at first, but eventually they will become accustomed to the new way of eating.

If you absolutely have to go with fast food, the best options are taking advantage of the alternate side items. Most fast food restaurants are now offering alternatives to the standard French fries and soda. Encourage your children to take the apple slices or mandarin oranges instead of fries, and the milk instead of soda. At least that way they will be getting one of their servings of fruit and dairy.

No matter where you eat your dinner, please don't forget exercise. This is an important aspect of the Food Pyramid's recommendations for children. Children should aim for sixty minutes of exercise most days. Parents should do their best to make it fun for the children. Enroll your kids in dance or karate lessons. Encourage them to participate in sports. Take a family walk after dinner. Spend Saturdays hiking through the woods in a nearby state park. If your children enjoy it, it is more likely to continue into adulthood. Their health will benefit greatly from the added activity.

So the next time your child begs to be taken to the Golden Arches, smile at your child and tell them Ronald McDonald is getting a break from cooking tonight because you will be eating at Mom's Diner. Your child's arteries will thank you




Jennifer Voss is a registered dietitian. She blogs about nutrition, healthy cooking and baking, and organic living at Miss Organic's Kitchen.





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2012年8月28日 星期二

Food for Energy: A Healthy Food Guide for Active Children


During play, active children consume more energy per unit of body weight than teenagers and adults. This is the very reason why they have different nutritional needs compared to adults. In order to keep up with their pace, moms should carefully select what food for energy to include in their daily diet, foods that are healthy and are readily digestible.

They must consume foods that contain higher proportion of body-building nutrients such as protein, mineral elements and vitamins. If you are having trouble how much food for energy to give to your active kids, you can follow the new Food Pyramid For Kids approved by the USDA.

Now, what foods for energy would make a good meal combination every day? Here we provide a healthy food guide for active children.

Breakfast: The Most Important Food Combination of the Day

You may have heard this old momma's saying "Eat your breakfast, honey, because it's the most important meal of the day..." and the sermon goes. But she's absolutely right! During sleep, our tiny little cells still work overnight, consuming nutrients such that in the morning, proteins and other energy-giving nutrients are at their lowest. The best way to restore your kids' energy level is to give them a hearty-breakfast.

Whatever beverage you choose, (milk or fresh fruit juice) this meal combination will surely give your children a boost of energy.

Banana or Sliced Avocado combined with their favorite scrambled egg.

Bananas are mighty powerhouses of nutrients. Eating at least 1 piece in the morning will provide your kids the recommended daily serving of potassium, a natural regulator of the body's water balance.

Avocados are heavyweight in calories and other nutrients that keep our hearts and skin healthy such as Vitamin A, D and E.

Eggs are also packed with nutrients such as the B-vitamins, proteins and minerals. In order to make eggs enjoyable for your active kids, scramble them with ham, bell peppers, onions and milk.

You may also serve them a bowl of oatmeal or granola, with berries and milk. This is a powerhouse combination of fiber, vitamins and minerals to keep your kids on the go!

A healthy breakfast is your best gift to your kids every day.

Snacks: Take Advantage!

Healthy snacks are good meal fillers. If your kid just drank his glass of milk or fresh fruit juice, always be ready to put in his snack box, healthy foods that will surely fill them and give them the energy he or she needs for the day.

An apple, yogurt or banana muffins is an example of a very good snack combination for your active kids.

Apples are fiber-rich fruits, which can fill your kids' stomach to the fullest if they eat one whole apple.

Lunch: Make Sure You Don't Miss Out!

If your kids have skipped breakfast, because they woke up late and are hurrying things in the morning, make sure they don't miss out their healthy lunch packs!

These foods should be in their lunch boxes with a bottle of fresh fruit juice or water.

You can choose from various meat recipes, but be sure to prepare one that's packed with natural ingredients not from ready-to-cook pouches as they contain high levels of preservatives and chemicals detrimental to your kid's health.

Great lunch ideas, will keep a smile on your kids faces.

Dinner: Keep It Simple yet Special.

As they say, dinner is the lightest meal of the day. But your kids wouldn't want to come home if you'll just prepare them meals that would not satisfy their hungry bellies. Remember, your kids have special nutritional needs, such that dinners should be kept simple yet special.

Kids love pasta. Transform this food for energy into a one-dish meal by making nutrient-filled spaghetti. With your favorite spaghetti recipe, include ingredients such as minced bell peppers, pineapple cubes or ground beef and relish it with cheese.

You may also prepare vegetable or meat sandwiches, whatever your kids love to eat. Or, if they ask for pizza, why not prepare one that's healthier? Home-made pizzas, folded pizzas or Calzones can be easily prepared.

And a glass of fresh fruit juice will surely make them say, wow! I'm full!

Wouldn't we want to hear that more often from our kids?




Giving our kids a healthy start is our job, so let's make healthy food for energy combination for them every day! To learn more about food for health visit the Food For Your Healing website.





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