Ways to Help Your Children Balance Their Daily Food Intake with Physical Activity

In today's society, it is extremely important that children are taught how to balance their daily food intake with physical activity to help them stay healthy.

A sedentary lifestyle coupled with diets of high calorie fast foods and soda has been the major contributor to the rising obesity epidemic that plagues America's youth.

Why is proper nutrition important?

Proper nutrition is important for children to grow and develop at a normal pace. It is important that children eat a wide variety of foods that include whole grains, vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy and foods that are rich in protein.

Things that you can do to encourage your children to eat healthy.

1. Serve plenty of fruits and veggies during meal and snack times.
2. Serve fewer high fat foods.
3. Limit or eliminate sweets in your child's diet.
4. Don't give your children sodas or sugary fruit drinks. They are full of empty calories and have no nutritional value.
5. Serve more whole grain pasta, rice, bread, and cereal.
6. Don't bring unhealthy food into the household, instead, stock the refrigerator with a variety of healthy snacks for kids to choose from.

Why is keeping children active important?

Keeping children active helps them to develop strong bones and muscles, maintain a healthy body weight, develop motor skills, improve their cardiovascular health and increases their self esteem. Physical activity can also minimize the risk of certain illness that may associated with obesity, such as, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.

Ways that you can help your children get the recommended hour of daily physical activity.