The next
time you crack your head over a special kid’s meal for your child,
think again. You may be doing him or her more harm than good. According to
research done by the University of Edinburgh, children are better off
having the same meals as adults, and “child-friendly” alternatives to adult
food served in restaurants are likely to be nutritionally inferior to their
adult counterparts.
The focus isn't on serving portions, but the types of dishes served. Dining options for children in certain restaurants also tend to sacrifice the
salads, or reduce the portions drastically, catering to children’s typical
instincts to dislike healthy foods. On the other hand, some establishments and parents go to the extreme, giving their children only healthy food like vegetables and little or no meat, which makes the meal extremely unbalanced and unhealthy for a growing child who needs protein and carbohydrates from meat to grow and be active.
Additionally,
some children have a larger appetite than others, and eating a small meal
designated for children may result in hunger and snacking in between meal
times, which is unhealthy and commonly associated with obesity in children.
That is not
to say that one should avoid the kid’s menu like plague and order large meals
that would result in leftovers or over-eating. However, do remember to order healthy side dishes to ensure that your
children are getting a comprehensive healthy meal.
Other ways
to ensure that your children eat healthily:
Be a good role model
Children
look up to their parents as role models. Your responsibility as a parent is not
only to cook or choose healthy food for your children, but also to practise
what you preach, and steer away from unhealthy food and eating habits. Yes,
that also means choosing apples over potato chips for snack time.
Take the kids grocery shopping with you
Most
children enjoy this as it is a chance to interact with their parents, spend time
outside the house, and choose what goes into their meals. Take this opportunity
to give your children hands-on experience with reading food labels and choosing
the right types of food for a healthy meal.
Have regular family meals at home
We all know
how home-cooked meals are healthier than food purchased outside. Having
everyone sit at the same table for a family meal is a great bonus. It enhances
interaction between family members, creates a fun eating environment for your
child, and your child is likely to take the cue from the adults at the table
and eat up.
Don’t force your child to finish up the meal if
he/she is full
Food
wastage is undesirable, but making your child over-eat also has undesirable
health consequences, and has far-reaching results of encouraging larger diets,
and obesity in the long run. Observe your child’s eating habits, and reduce the
portion sizes appropriately.
Weight issues in children
If your
child has serious weight issues, do consult
a paediatrician before taking matters into your own hands. Seek professional
health before diagnosing your children’s weight issues by yourself. Certain
factors may temporarily affect a child’s weight, such as growth spurts or
puberty, and putting them on a diet may have unpleasant consequences.
Other sources:
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