Fat Camp Articles

How to Help Your Children Eat Healthy at Home, in School

By Jill Gonzalez

We all know that eating healthy foods is good for us. This rule applies to people of all ages, so it is important that children learn at an early age how to make nutritious, healthy choices at every meal.

Schools play an important role in determining whether our children are actually going to stick to a healthy eating plan. Regardless of what you might be packing them for lunch each day, kids are likely to be tempted if they are confronted with sugary, fattening goodies at school.

Some schools have turned to offering a variety of healthier options for students to choose from, but for the most part these healthy choices are just one offering among a host of other options that are not very healthy. As a parent, you can play an important role in determining the types of foods that are offered to children at school.

You have the power to suggest changes through the PTA, or you could even launch a campaign designed to get the school board to rethink the foods that they make available to children for breakfasts, lunches and snacks.

How Parents Can Make a Difference at School

Parents can start by becoming actively involved in supporting healthy school activities. If your child’s school doesn’t already have a nutrition program for students, suggest that one be started. In addition, the following practices can directly influence the eating decisions that your children make when they are at school.

You should also teach your children healthy snacking habits. We all know that snacking at some point each day is pretty much inevitable (for adults and kids), so make sure that your children learn how to make healthy choices when hunger suddenly strikes in the middle of the morning or afternoon.

The American Dietetic Association (ADA) has a great list of healthy snack options for children that will help you to provide a variety of different options for your kids. These options offer some unique options that will be sure to keep your children satisfied. Sandwiches, yogurt, mini pizzas, and whole grain pita snacks are just a handful of the snacking suggestions mentioned on the list. You might even find that you can take some of the ADA’s ideas and create additional snacks that are healthy and interesting.

Healthy Eating is a Lifelong Journey

It is important for children to learn that eating healthy foods is not only better for them, but that it also offers options that are just as tasty and interesting as unhealthy foods.

If you get them started eating healthy meals and snacks when they are very young, and you practice healthy eating at home, you will be much more likely to meet with success in keeping them on a healthy eating track throughout their lives. If your kids learn to love healthy choices, they will naturally choose healthy, nutritious foods even when they are at school.

Another great way to keep your kids interested in eating healthy foods is to make sure that your family eats meals together daily. Even if you can only sit down together at dinner, that one meal is very important in terms of keeping your kids on a healthy eating track. In fact, studies have shown that children who eat regular meals with their families are more likely to eat vegetables, fruits, and whole grains - and are less likely to indulge in junk foods.

Remember, any time that your family sits down to eat together counts as a family meal. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate affair comprised of a three or four course dinner that takes several hours to prepare. Home-cooked meals and meals picked up from a favorite restaurant or deli all count as a family meal as long as you all sit down and eat together.