To help your children cultivate a healthy body and a good self-image, always teach by example. Avoid placing so much emphasis on their weight that they begin to equate how much they weigh with how much they are loved. Their environment can be changed so they can move more and eat well. Experts offer these additional tips: 1. Maintain Proper Portion Size. Teach children about proper portion size, and encourage moderation rather than over consumption. Do not insist that your child 'clean the plate'. Avoid using sweet treats as a reward. Vegetables and salads portions should be higher than protein portions. Does your family have five servings of fresh fruit and vegetables daily? Cut back on carbohydrate portions. Do not cook so much food at a time, or if you do want to freeze some for later, put it in the freezer first and serve normal portions for your meal. 2. Encourage Physical Activity. Riding a bike in the city can be dangerous, but what else can your child do to get exercise? Encourage some old fashioned games: going to a playground, hop scotch, skipping rope. Enroll your child in a sport activity; encourage them to participate. If your child doesn't seem to like sports, keep trying, let them know they must pick out at least one sport; they will eventually find one they like. Remember walking, hiking and swimming are sports, too. 1 to 2 hours a day should be dedicated to physical activity and 1 half hour should be fairly rigorous. 3. Limit TV, Computer and Video Games. Sitting in front of a screen sipping sugary drinks and eating fatty foods is a daily fact of life for most American kids. Children 6 and under spend an average of two hours a day using screen media (TV, computers, video games) and the average child watches three hours of TV a day. Higher levels of TV viewing are associated with higher levels of obesity. 4. Breastfeed infants. Breastfeed infants exclusively for at least the first four to six months of life. Research shows that breastfeeding reduces the risk of obesity. Cow's milk and certain formulas do not digest properly in an infant's stomach, thus causing bloating and digestion problems; elimination problems can occur that causes fat to build up in the body. Some formulas have high fructose sugar added - read labels. If your doctor recommends that you put the baby on a formula, ask questions. If you don't get answers, consider changing to a doctor that encourages breastfeeding. Call your local La Leche League, they will assist you to breast feed in any way they can. 5. Eliminate Certain Foods. Use low-fat dairy products. After age 2, kids should drink low-fat milk. Eliminate carbonated beverages and high fructose corn syrup products. Use only 100% fruit juice and limit that to 4 ounces daily for toddlers and 6 to 8 ounces for older children. Cut out candy, chips, yogurt with lots of sugar added (read labels), French fries. In general cut way back on foods that contain over 10 grams of sugar and all fried foods. Some take out Chinese food can contain up to 50 grams of sugar per serving - avoid fast food places, too. Introduce your family to water, get your children accustomed to feeling energized with the vitamins and minerals good drinking water can provide. 6. Get Involved - Develop Healthy habits. Eat family meals with no TV. Eliminate the habit of snacking between meals. As a parent, it is your responsibility to make sure your child eats at meal times. The school usually takes care of lunch. Does your school cafeteria serve healthy food? Get involved in community projects. Do you believe it is a good idea for your child's school to have candy, snack, and soda machines? What does this teach children if only junk food is served in their school? Let's get dried fruit, skim milk, fruit juices and baked rather than fried carbs in the schools - your family involvement could make a difference. Supplements of the Month Acidophilus/Bifidus 8 Billion Benefits of Acidophilus/Bifidus: Aids the Digestive Process Helps Alleviate Yeast Infections Helps Correct Constipation, Diarrhea, Colitis and Diverticulitis Reduces Blood Cholesterol Enhances the Absorption of Nutrients Sweetens Bad Breath Reduces Allergies and Asthma What is Acidophilus/Bifidus? Acidophilus/Bifidus is found in many yogurt and milk products. However, the concentration of it is not high enough to achieve the same results as can be achieved with supplementation, and a dairy-free source of Acidophilus is essential. Acidophilus also helps in the synthesis of vitamins B5, B12, Biotin, Folic Acid and Vitamin K. These vitamins produce food-absorbing enzymes and inhibit Candida yeast, lower gas and blood cholesterol, metabolize calcium and enhance immunity. It produces lipases for converting fats so they can be absorbed into the body and also produces protease enzymes for protein digestion. It is used as a digestive aid for individuals who suffer from lactose intolerance (having difficulty digesting dairy products). It forms acidophilin, a strong protective antibiotic. It contains natural antibiotics that control 27 harmful bacteria (E. coli, strep, salmonella, to name a few). It inhibits the growth of cancer causing enzymes and provides good nutritional support to help alleviate seven forms of cancer (breast cancer is one). In the stomach, digestive tract, urinary tract and vaginal tract, it helps control noxious bacteria and reduces the effects of the following conditions: gas and bloating, yeast infections, bad breath, eczema, acne, cold sores and mouth ulcers. It strengthens infants' resistance to gastrointestinal distress and disease. By synthesizing Vitamin K, which helps the system to metabolize calcium, Acidophilus assists in the prevention of bone loss and thus may aid in the inhibition of Osteoporosis. Coral Calcium with Mag & D Benefits of Coral Calcium: Helps to Cleanse the Kidneys, Intestines and Liver Breaks Down Heavy Metals and Drug Residues in the Body Helps Balance the pH Level of Water Which Strengthens and Revitalizes Cells and Tissues Helps Stabilize Bone Health Eases the Aging Process Aids with Preventative Maintenance of Osteoporosis Strengthens Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient's Bones, Joints and Surrounding Cartilage 'Take Your Vitamins' brand of Coral Calcium with Magnesium and Vitamin D offers the highest quality coral calcium from the Okinawa reef. Calcium is the principal mineral of bones and teeth. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium. Essential for the prevention of osteoporosis. Involved in normal muscle contraction and relaxation. Essential for rhythmic heart function, proper nerve activity, blood clotting, blood pressure and immune defenses. |
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