Raising a healthy child sounds very easy and simple. New parents think that making children eat nutritious food and engaging them in physical activities is good enough. Read on to find 10 tips for raising a healthy child.The moment your child is born, the doctor weights and measures your child. Health of your child becomes the highest priority from now. Many parents become over cautious about even a sneeze, scratch or any other even slightest of problem associated with their kids. However, there are three basic guidelines for raising a healthy child and if you consistently follow them, you will never have to look back.
Rules for Raising a Healthy Child
- Provide an environment that promotes health and fitness at home
- Be a part of your child’s healthy lifestyle
- Always keep things simple
- Be a role model for your child
10 Ways to Raise a Healthy Child
Have a quick look at the top 10 tips for raising a healthy child.
1. Encourage Your Child to Be Active
If your child spends at least one hour on vigorous activities, you can stay assured of her good health. You can play together, walk or jog together or even go for swimming. Depending on the age of your child you can stay involved or let her enjoy the company of her friends.
2. Keep Motivating Your Child
Motivation is very important especially when you are paying attention to helping your kids develop
healthy habits. So, keep your lifestyle healthy and encourage your kids to do the same.
3. Limit Screen Time
Sitting on the couch and watching TV makes a child inactive and it is one of the biggest reasons for making kids overweight. Try to replace screen time with
physical activities that your child likes.
4. Plan Your Meals Beforehand
Healthy meal can be prepared and served only when it is properly planned. A quick fix meal is always unhealthy. So, pay attention to the nutritious requirements of your child and plan meals accordingly.
5. Change the Eating Environment
Everyone likes tempting foods like cookies, ice-creams and so on. So, it is not practically possible to eradicate these foods completely out of the menu, but minimize them as much as you can. Also, replace high calorie snacks with fresh fruits. Check the portion of your child as well.
6. Minimize Junk Foods
Junk foods are tempting and kids love to have them as often as you allow. It is up to you how you keep a check on it. Replace rice or pasta with brown rice or whole grain food, butter with olive oil and make your child eat vegetables.
7. Make Food Fun
Many parents do the biggest mistake of not explaining the importance of nutritious food to their kids. Depending on the age of your child, present healthy food in attracting ways and encourage them to eat in a fun filled way.
8. Be a Role Model
Kids follow their parents. The best way to do so is to implement the rules on yourself first. Children follow what their parents do and so if they see you following a healthy lifestyle, they will follow suite.
9. Stick to Your Budget
Cooking and serving healthy meals does not have to make a hole in your pocket. Use lentils and beans instead of canned food and use fresh fruits and vegetables instead of frozen ones.
10. Encourage Good Sleeping Habits
Helping your child get a good sleep is very important for promoting good health. Sleep problems can affect
child’s health and give rise to many health problems. Make sure that your child gets adequate sleep. Encourage your child to go to bed early and follow healthy bedtime habits for promoting good health.
The best way is to make your child develop eating and living healthy a part and parcel of their lives. Let it come naturally into your child’s schedule and habits. If you are determined to raise a healthy child, make sure you provide an environment that supports health, nutrition and
fitness for your child. The environment plays a very important role while your child is still growing.
How to raise a healthy child? What are the signs that a child is healthy? What should parents avoid doing for raising a healthy child? Discuss here.
