Around 22 million children all over the globe are obese. The US continually topping the list with as many as 37% of its younger population believed to be carrying around too much fat.  Other countries are rapidly catching up, thereby pointing to obesity as possibly the next global epidemic.

In developing countries, malnutrition contributes to 53% of the 9.7 million annual deaths of children below five years of age. This means that one child dies every six seconds from malnutrition and related causes.

These concerns boil down to good nutrition being the bedrock of lifelong health. Children’s effective weight maintenance significantly involves parents instilling healthy eating habits in the child even at an early age. Moreover, the eating habits that the child learns while still young, will help them develop a healthy lifestyle as they grow old.

CHILD DISCIPLINING TECHNIQUES


Everything starts with properly disciplining the child, which means inculcating the acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. In layman’s term, discipline trains the child to follow the rules. Rules are rules, and are meant to be followed for it involves both punishment and, more importantly rewards.

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Subtle approach

Moms have a tendency to nag about what their child should and shouldn’t eat.  But remember that nagging, aside from being a short-term means of correcting your child’s attitude, only results to your exhaustion. Instead, explain to your kids the do’s and don’ts gently but clearly. 

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Guide rather than dictate foods

Prepare healthier food choices for every family meal. You’re not only exposing them to better choices: you’re also giving them that ‘freedom’ to choose. It’s actually a win-win situation for you and your kids.

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Point out to eat slowly

Young as they are, children can already discern if they are full or hungry by eating at a leisurely pace. Urging your child to eat hastily can only result to one of two things: overeating or under-eating.  Either one is a habit that, if continued throughout life, can bring about either malnutrition or obesity.

Click here for more info about the benefits of eating slowly

Keep the dining table a positive place

Mealtimes are among the few sharing moments of the family, so make the experience pleasant.  Have engaging conversations and make them the dominant part of the meal, instead of scolding or arguing. Bad mealtime experiences can make children opt to eat faster so as to leave the table as soon as possible. The last thing you want is for them to yoke stress with eating.

A common nutritionists’ advice to parents is to give them their own plate, and serve the appropriate amount of food, enabling them to enjoy the meal with everyone.

Click here for details about the negative effects of emotional eating

Engage your kids to help with the shopping and meal preparations

Involving them in these activities will give you clues on your child’s food preferences. Also, it would provide you with the opportunity to familiarize your child on nutrition, incidentally granting them a feeling of learning and achievement.

In addition, children may be more willing to eat or try foods they have helped prepare.

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Advise your child to enjoy the food

Make it a cardinal rule to not eat and watch TV at the same time.  Distractions discourage children from ignoring the food, making them oblivious to the amount they are eating.  This usually leads to children eating more than their body requires. Full concentration should be on the food and restrain them to waste food.

Click here to see the research about eating while watching TV as a bad habit for kids

Plan the snacktime.

While continuous snacking may result in overeating, properly-scheduled snacks can play a helpful part in encouraging a nutritious diet.  A properly scheduled snack also prevents the child spoiling their appetites by snacking at inappropriate times.

Prepare nutritious snacks, but don’t deprive the kids of the occasional sweets or chips, particularly at social events or parties.

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GOOD EATS FOR KIDS

Cut the fat.

Probably the most noteworthy approach to healthy eating is cutting down on fat intake. Trouble-free ways to attain this include eating low-fat or non-fat dairy products, skinless poultry, lean meats, and either low-fat or fat-free breads and cereals.

Click here to know more about the effects of fast food meals on your kids

No candies please (at first)!


Discourage people from giving candies, or chocolates to kids at a very young age to exhibit their love. Instead encourage them to give fruits. Never use sweets to bribe kids into finishing their meals. This can lead to an unhealthy attachment to the sweets, making them crave for them every time they feel hungry.

Make them taste all kinds of seasonal fruits, giving them variety and, again, a sense of freedom in choosing.

Click here for details about the rules on rewarding your child

Say NO to Junk Food!

As the child grows up he becomes aware of the different types of junk food, each designed to attract kids.  And in this era of fast food, controlling children’s intake of unhealthy foods is a daunting task for mothers. Let him have some occasionally, but remember to keep it under control.

Click here for details about the junk food commercial ads being targeted to children

Pack healthy lunch boxes.


Fill their lunch boxes with healthy food items such as sandwiches, rice varieties, homemade noodles, fruits, and the like. Your child filling up on these will help prevent him from reaching for junk food.

It is difficult (if not impossible) to control his intake of fried salty chips, especially if his friends bring them to school. This would be a good reason for you to talk to their teacher about setting school regulations that encourage healthy eating, and discourage excessive access to junk food within the premises

Click here for tips on packing a healthy school lunch

Don’t be too strict

You can’t avoid the occasional outings, parties or weddings that your kid will be a part of. As such, allow them to have fun and eat what they want, as long as it’s kept in moderation. Completely denying them of junk food could lead to feelings of tension and suppression. This usually induces an unhealthy personality. 

Be strict, but not too strict.  Make room for them to be kids.

Click here to learn more about loving without spoiling, discipline without nagging

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