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Learning good habits early is key for kids

Living healthy isn’t always such an easy thing to do. Temptation is all around us

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Living healthy isn’t always such an easy thing to do. Temptation is all around us. Why hit the gym when Desperate Housewives is on TiVo? Who wants to take out the pots and pan when a frozen pizza will do? Forget about a salad or fresh steamed vegetables. Who needs them anyway? On and on it goes.

As tough as it is for adults, it is doubly hard for children. But it’s more important for children to develop healthy habits now because their bodies and brains are developing. What’s more, the practices they pick up today will follow them into their adulthood. The Mayo Clinic, the Arizona Heart Foundation and Valley health experts share tips for helping children become and stay healthy:

1.  Eating Right: 

Tell a kid, “You are what you eat,” and chances are they’ll want to be a cup cake or a hot Cheetos. The difference between healthy eating and an unhealthy diet simply doesn’t register with most young children. That’s why Laura Trujillo, an Arizona State University nutrition instructor, says that making certain children eat healthy foods – and in the right portion – depends greatly on the parent. She recommends also having healthy snacks on hand and getting kids to slow down when they eat.

Experts say it takes 20 minutes for our stomachs to tell our brains that it is full. That gives our kids a chance to help themselves to seconds, or even thirds, before their grain gets the message. (Latino kids, incidentally, are near the top of the list for obesity.) One way to slow down their eating habits is by encouraging mealtime banter. Talking between bites also is a good way for the family to communicate more. Nutritionists also recommend trying fun things, such as eating with chopsticks or by candlelight.

Having healthy snacks on hand is easy. Trujillo points out that it’s far too easy for children to reach into the pantry and grab a bag of chips or reach into the freezer for ice cream. Instead, keep more fresh fruits and veggies cut up and ready to eat. Instead of keeping the pantry stocked with fatty snacks, opt for healthy granola or oat bars.

Try out these Web sites for some healthy dinner and snack ideas: CookingLight.com, and Eatingwell.com. Also, Kidshealth.org/kid/recipes has healthy recipes for children with health issues such as diabetes.