The Wellness of YOU! - # 39
posted in Nutrition and Weight Loss |Good Nutrition and Weight Loss for Kids
I have to step aside for today from our series of articles about weight loss at the cellular level. I will get back to it tomorrow, though.
Today, I want to talk about something that’s related, but deals with another topic of great interest to me — and I hope I can convince you that it should be a subject of great interest and concern for you as well.
One of my main gripes about our nutrition and weight loss problems in this country is what is happening with our children and grandchildren and the way they are eating today. The rate of childhood obesity and childhood diabetes is not only staggering — it is downright depressing.
The eating habits of our children has a two-edged sword effect — on one edge of the sword we have kids who are overweight or obese. On the other edge of the sword, we have kids who are obsessed with their body image to the degree that they are dangerously underweight. This is especially true with young girls — they have all these so-called “role models” who all seem to have an unnaturally slender build. And our kids all want to look the same way and will do it at the sacrifice of good nutrition.
The popularity of the “teen idols” may be contributing to an obsession with body image and weight loss among our kids that could lead to dangerous eating disorders.
Whether we are dealing with an overweight or an underweight child, there are things you can do to help them avoid eating disorders and to promote a healthy attitude about food and their body image.
We have been taught from the days of our own grandparents that the way to win the love of our children is to use food as a reward.
That’s a habit we need to break.
Not only are we promoting unhealthy food habits by doing this, we are also teaching our kids to become emotional eaters. How often do we feel that the best way to make a sad child happy is to fill them up with ice cream and cake — or cookies and milk. We are teaching them that when you don’t feel good, eat something sugary and sweet. That habit can carry over into adulthood and create a whole new set of problems.
Think about that — isn’t that an awful thing to do to someone we love?
* We need to learn to reward our children with praise and other nonfood incentives. Perhaps some extended phone time or a later curfew would work. For younger children set aside some time to play games with them, or rent a DVD they like and watch it with them.
* We also need to set an example with our children. If you don’t eat healthy, nutritious foods, why should they? If you are always complaining about your own weight and body image, think about the example you’re setting for your children. If you’re always critical about yourself, they will do the same.
* Don’t forget to provide lots of positive reinforcement. Tell your children often that they are beautiful, talented and unique. The more they hear that, the more they’ll believe it.
* Talk with your children about the images that they are seeing everyday in the media. The photos of the supermodels and celebrities in magazines, movies and television seem to always be present. It’s impossible to avoid them. Discuss with your kids about how society has this skewed perception about what is truly beautiful and normal. Explain to them that most people don’t look like the people in the magazines. Help them to learn that a person’s value and worth is not related to the way they look. There are beautiful people of all shapes and sizes.
* Help and encourage your children to be involved in different activities. Remember that children who are concerned about their weight won’t want to go dancing or get in the swimming pool. These things may draw attention to their bodies. One way to help them through that is to show them that you aren’t afraid to do those things yourselves.
* Help them to avoid those “fad” diets. I have regularly promoted the South Beach Dietâ„¢ in this blog. Everyone in my family knows that I’m committed to this lifestyle that is a part of the South Beach Dietâ„¢. They know that following this lifestyle is about achieving long-term health. It’s about reaching weight loss goals using a nutritious way of eating.
Well, that’s my rant for today. It breaks my heart to see how we feed our kids. These are very important people in our lives — these are the people we love more than anything — these are the people that are going to need to be strong and healthy in order to deal with life when they grow up. Why do we do this to them? Why do we think it’s okay to feed our children junk food — foods that have little or no nutritional value? Even the schools do this. Look at the food choices they see in the school cafeteria. It’s awful!
How about we just stop doing that? Sound like a plan? I hope so.
I’ll be back tomorrow and we’ll pick up where we left off yesterday.
Until then, remember to follow a good-fat — good-carb diet and stay with your regular exercise.
Here is some information about the nutritional supplements I add to my nutrition and weight loss program.
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You can find out more about the supplements that I take and highly recommend by looking at these pages: — My Health Products – Testimonials — and Uses for My Products. Read through those pages and then contact me with your questions. I’m here to help you to achieve your nutrition and weight loss goals. My contact information can be found at this site: |
Have a great day. I’ll be back tomorrow with some more nutrition and weight loss thoughts for you.
And give the South Beach Diet a try. That’s what I follow. Here’s where to go to learn more:
Shanti,
Ron
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