Come holidays and chocolate, chips and cookies are likely to reign supreme on your child’s diet. Diwali is a time when most parents neglect their child’s health as family outings, dinners and parties become frequent. But with increasing incidences of obesity among children, it becomes essential to monitor your kid’s diet. Here’s how you can...
Set a routine
Even during vacations, set meal times for your child. “If your kid is an early riser, have breakfast between eight to nine in the morning, eat lunch between one to two in the afternoon and complete dinner by nine, if you want to put your child to sleep early,” says clinical nutritionist Dr Nupur Krishnan.
Stock on healthy food
This one is for all the working parents. Your child’s on vacation, not you, necessarily. You don’t want to have to take leave to deal with his/her health issues. Substitute snacks with healthier options well within your child’s reach.
Present food well
“Kids love it when food is presented to them in an interesting manner,” says Krishnan. Making chaat at home? Give it to your kid in a paper cone like the vendors do or make a vegetable wrap instead of the regular roti-sabzi.
Cooking partners
Vacations are a great time to involve your child in cooking. Not only does this foster bonding between parent and child, it also encourages healthy eating habits. For fun, try recipe innovations.
Mealtimes as together times
Most experts feel that having at least one meal together with your child helps inculcate healthy eating habits.
Go grilled
The next time you take your kid out for dinner, opt for grilled chicken, fish or veggies instead of fried foods, to cut down on calories.
Keep hydrated
Prepare fresh fruit juices or nimbu pani at regular intervals. This will keep your child hydrated and reduce the urge to drink aerated drinks, if you’ve stocked them for guests.
Encourage physical activity
You don’t want them plonked in front of the television or their computer. Encourage your child to go out and play in the evening or cycle in a nearby park.
Courtesy:
Krutika Behrawala
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2013/11/02&PageLabel=42&EntityId=Ar04102&ViewMode=HTML
Set a routine
Even during vacations, set meal times for your child. “If your kid is an early riser, have breakfast between eight to nine in the morning, eat lunch between one to two in the afternoon and complete dinner by nine, if you want to put your child to sleep early,” says clinical nutritionist Dr Nupur Krishnan.
Stock on healthy food
This one is for all the working parents. Your child’s on vacation, not you, necessarily. You don’t want to have to take leave to deal with his/her health issues. Substitute snacks with healthier options well within your child’s reach.
Present food well
“Kids love it when food is presented to them in an interesting manner,” says Krishnan. Making chaat at home? Give it to your kid in a paper cone like the vendors do or make a vegetable wrap instead of the regular roti-sabzi.
Cooking partners
Vacations are a great time to involve your child in cooking. Not only does this foster bonding between parent and child, it also encourages healthy eating habits. For fun, try recipe innovations.
Mealtimes as together times
Most experts feel that having at least one meal together with your child helps inculcate healthy eating habits.
Go grilled
The next time you take your kid out for dinner, opt for grilled chicken, fish or veggies instead of fried foods, to cut down on calories.
Keep hydrated
Prepare fresh fruit juices or nimbu pani at regular intervals. This will keep your child hydrated and reduce the urge to drink aerated drinks, if you’ve stocked them for guests.
Encourage physical activity
You don’t want them plonked in front of the television or their computer. Encourage your child to go out and play in the evening or cycle in a nearby park.
Courtesy:
Krutika Behrawala
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2013/11/02&PageLabel=42&EntityId=Ar04102&ViewMode=HTML
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