Due to the high prevalence of childhood obesity, The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has declared the month of August as the first ever Kid’s Eat Right Month. The idea behind this initiative is to place an emphasis on the importance of healthy eating and active lifestyles for both children and families.
Parents and caregivers can play a big role in children’s nutrition and health. They have the opportunity to teach kids about healthy foods, being a good role model and making sure physical activity is incorporated into each day.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests the following tips to encourage healthier lifestyles:
- Shop Smart – Get your children involved in selecting the food that will appear at the breakfast, lunch or dinner table.
- Cook Healthy – Involve your child in the cutting, mixing and preparation of meals. They will learn about food and may even be enticed to try new foods they helped prepare.
- Eat Right – Sit down together as a family to enjoy a wonderful meal. Share the day’s experiences with one another. Research indicates that those families who eat together have a stronger bond, and children have higher self-confidence and perform better in school.
- Healthy Habits – Set a good example by filling half your plate with fruits and vegetables, choose lower-sodium options, and make at least half the grains your family eats whole grains. For beverages, choose water over sugary drinks, and opt for fat-free or low-fat milk.
- Get Moving.- Regular physical activity is vital to strengthen muscle and bones, promote a healthy body weight, support learning, develop social skills and build self-esteem. Kids are encouraged to be active for 60 minutes per day.
For more healthful eating tips, recipes, videos and to learn more about Kids Eat Right Month, visit www.KidsEatRight.org.
We love this idea of Kid’s Eat Right Month! There definitely needs to be an ongoing conversation among families and children about the importance of healthy lifestyle choices. It’s essential for kids to learn healthy habits at an early age so they can grow up with less chance of developing the chronic diseases associated with obesity. Here’s to healthier kids …
What have you done to celebrate the first annual Kid’s Eat Right Month?
