By: Rosanne Rust
When it comes to a child's nutrition intake and problems associated with it, parenting has a lot to do with it. Just as with any restriction a parent may set for a child (limiting television or computer time, setting curfews, limiting the types of movies a child may watch, or setting a bedtime for a child), limits or rules need to be set for how a young child is to deal with food.
In addition, just as an adult will be more successful if they set reasonable, attainable goals, the goals or limits they set for children need to be reasonable too. Like so many things in our lives today, it is sometimes difficult to prioritize.
Should you be concerned with the occasional sweet treat or junk food that your child consumes at school or at parties if the child does not have a weight problem, and in fact is provided with healthy choices at home? Probably not, especially if it does not significantly impact the overall nutrition of the child. In the big picture, children as a whole, have bigger issues to target.
Parents should consider these tips when setting limits for food or behavior:
- Be a positive role model for your child. Show them that you can fit physical activity into your busy life, and they can too. It's important to live the habits and lifestyle you want your child to practice.
- Make it clear to the child that you expect them to eat foods from each food group every day - Remember children ages 7-10 should be getting 3 servings from the milk group, 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, 5-6 servings of grains, and 2 servings from the meat/bean group daily.
- If you offer cake for dessert, let the child know that one piece is enough if they ask for seconds. Save the rest for tomorrow.
- Don’t completely ban junk food, especially for school age children. Children will not only resent you, but they could develop such cravings from what they view as deprivation, that they will eat every potato chip in sight whenever they get the chance. While eating cookies or candy once a week may be a big issue for one parent, limiting cookies to only two per serving may be more realistic for another. Allowing a child one to two small servings daily of a treat item is okay as long as the minimum servings from the essential five food groups is met (one treat serving would equal: 2 small cookies or 1-ounce potato chips or one fun-size candy bar).
- Limit soda pop, lemonade or fruit drinks. “Milk with meals” is a good guideline.
- Your job is to provide healthy foods. The child’s job is to eat it. Offer, don’t force.
Children learn best by modeling so it's important to live the lifestyle you want your child to practice. Work together to achieve a healthier lifestyle.
