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Water work out

Swimming is good exercise for your child, even if he just wants to splash around.  It is worth finding out about swimming  classes for him, or teaming up  with other parents to make regular visits to the pool.      

 

By encouraging your children to eat well and be active from an early age, you will be helping them to establish lifelong good habits and giving them the best start in life.

 

As a parent, whether you're running after a crawling baby or toddler or lugging nappies and extra shopping home from the supermarket, you may find that you are more active than ever before. However, in turn, it is all too easy to let your children fall into a sedentary lifestyle, which will have a negative effect on their health and energy levels in both the long and short term.

 

In your eagerness to encourage your children to eat, it is easy to settle for a less than healthy diet. In the best interests of the whole family, it's important to make healthy living a top priority. It is advisable to introduce new measures gradually, to avoid the lifestyle change becoming a passing fad. It may take a few months for it to become an established habit, so don't be too hard on yourself if you and your family lapse from time to time.

 

 Eat  your  greens

We are continually bombarded with information about a daily intake of fruit and vegetables being good for our health, including evidence that it lessens the risks of various forms of cancer and cardiovascular disease. We are aware of the benefits, but the reality of encouraging children to choose broccoli and apples over chips and crisps is not easy. Children learn by example, so the best way of instilling a love of good food in your children is if you eat healthily yourself.

 

 

Simple ways to keep your child healthy

 

• Set an example: children learn by example so follow a healthy lifestyle yourself as much as possible - for example, walk instead of going by car or bus whenever possible. 
• Educate him: teach your child respect for his own body, and explain why it's important to stay healthy. 
• Don't set unrealistic goals: if you enjoy eating pizza, don't deny yourself or your children all the time. 
• Keep him active: ensure that your child has one daily outdoor physical activity, whether this is going to the park, swimming or playing with friends. Set a daily time limit for watching television or videos.

HEALTHY  EATING  TIPS

 

Try to monitor your child's diet carefully to prevent her from falling into bad eating habits. Follow these healthy eating guidelines:

 

Do:

• Make raw vegetables and fruit readily available as snacks.
• Always grill rather than fry food.
• Limit sweets and cakes.
• Provide home-made, wholesome food.
• Buy organic whenever you can.
• Make sure your child has an adequate intake of iron-rich foods.

Don't:

• Add sugar automatically, for example to cereals.
• Force food on a child who doesn't want to eat.
• Offer comfort food.
• Praise your child for finishing a meal.
• Use sweets or fizzy drinks as rewards for good behavior

If you want your child to eat fruit and vegetables, make sure you eat them yourself. Encourage your children to take an active part in choosing fruit and vegetables at the supermarket.

 

You can make fruit fun by taking your children to a pick-your-own fruit farm. They will enjoy the experience and you will find it economical. Try giving your child small pieces of fruit and vegetables as snacks, rather than sweets. If you and your family persevere with a healthy eating plan, it will soon become a natural part of your lifestyle.

 

Put them on display at home, in a bowl or a rack, so that your child will get used to them and regard them as an integral part of everyday life.

 

Enjoying food

While you don't want your child to be overweight, it's important not to make an issue out of how much he eats. You should try to ensure that your child has a healthy attitude to food and enjoys eating from an early age. Unless under medical guidance, children should not be put on a diet because this can have very adverse effects on health

 Fit for life

All sorts of activities can help to keep your child fit and he is likely to enjoy being active and interacting with others. Why not visit your local playground where your child can run around, and go on the swings, slides and balancing equipment. Go for walks as often as you can and take a ball along too, so your child can play in an open area in the fresh air.

 

For  More  Information:  Please  consult  your  physician  on  your  next  visit.