Youth obesity is a relatively hot topic all over the world. All too often, children are subjected to severe health complications simply because their parents refused to put their foot down. Although you can’t monitor what your child eats 24 hours a day, you can make sure that he or she is eating better while in the home. Why is it important to amend the method of snacking for your child?
1. Lack of Activity – Some children simply will not tear themselves away from the technological devices of today’s society. Between game consoles, Internet use, tablets and smartphones, society almost encourages sloth-like behavior. If your children are refusing to be more active, you need to at least provide healthy alternatives to sugary snacking. A lack of physical activity allows those calories to accumulate as fat. By providing natural sweets such as fruits and berries, you’re providing a healthier alternative that could help prevent his or her weight from becoming an issue.
2. Modifying Future Eating – By building a regular routine of healthy choices, you can condition your child to view fruits and vegetables as snacks instead of processed sugar-filled goods. This is important as too many of those cakes and sweets could cause a great deal of physical harm outside of weight gain. Diabetes and even Alzheimer’s Disease can be thwarted by eating better alternatives. It’s not just the here-and-now you should concern yourself with, but his or her future as well.
3. Illness Prevention – While a frosting-covered cupcake may not prevent your child from getting sick, berries can. Loaded with anti-oxidants and immune enhancing vitamins and minerals, a child eating more berries is less likely to become sick. This can help alleviate illness from other children at school as well. Sugar does not do for your body what a dose of vitamin C can do.
4. Focus and Concentration – Healthier eating can also contribute to better grades in school. Having the right balance of vitamins and minerals can enhance the mental process of anyone – including children. It has been proven that healthier food choices have led to improved mental acuity as well as mood enhancement. The foods you put into your body have more to do than just fill your stomach. Almost every aspect of existence can be altered by the right meals and snacks.
5. Sustaining Energy – Many sedentary children simply don’t have the energy to exercise or maintain an active routine. Including foods with higher levels of proteins and minerals, you can help the child regain those energy levels as protein can sustain an individual longer than sugar. That “sugar rush” will only last for a brief amount of time while proper diets can prolong the energy level. With an additional boost of energy from healthy foods, the child may be more inclined to remain active until he or she grows tired. This will surely be a longer stretch of time than what a chocolate bar can offer.
Many children will eat sweet fruit alternatives over sweets and cakes if you keep them in the home. In fact, you could find some children would prefer having a few chunks of pineapple over chocolate ice-cream. It’s all about providing the nutrients and embracing the change as a parent. They will follow your lead if you promote healthier eating yourself.