A Parent’s Gift To Their Children: Health

As Parents it Starts With Us

We can be role models for our children by the way we care for ourselves. Healthy families can produce healthy children. It is important to support our children’s health, one healthy meal at a time. Getting children to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables is a good start. A plant-based diet contains all the vitamins and minerals to help the physical and mental development of our children. Children mimic their parents, so if we choose unhealthy food sources, our children will likely follow. By embracing a plant-based diet, we can become creative on how we serve our meals. According to research children are drawn to bright colored objects, so our selection of plant-based food groups offers us creative options. Vegetables and fruit that are cut into different shapes and sizes provide a positive way to introduce healthy food choices. These simple and creative food shapes are attractive to children and they are more willing to eat them.

 The Negative Effects of the Food Industry's Advertising

Unfortunately children can be subjected to all kinds of advertising that offers unhealthy food choices. These food choices are often laden with high levels of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), sugar, excess salt, and other unhealthy food additives. Not surprisingly in breakfast cereals for example, children are offered little toys or prizes, which they readily gravitate too. This form of advertising, designed to stimulate a child’s desire for the toy or prize, can be detrimental when trying to steer a child from unhealthy processed foods. As parents it is our responsibility to provide a safe and nurturing environment for our children. In this respect, our children’s health is also our responsibility. If we can navigate through the misleading advertising and misrepresented food labeling ploys, then we can begin to raise healthy children. Although there have been some positive changes in the food industry, there still remain issues. We can be successful with providing healthy food choices to our children, and it all starts with us.

Healthy Parents = Healthy Children

Children learn about the world around them through their relationship with their parents. It is important for them to know that eating a healthy plant-based diet is good for their growing bodies. It is also important for them to understand that how they eat affects our environment and the animals. Eating a plant-based diet also reinforces the goal of doing “no harm” to the planet. It is often said that one good decision encourages another; and the food choices we make for our children is one of them. The health of our children deserves special attention. We must be committed to ensuring that the next generation is not plagued by chronic illnesses and disease. There is a lot of confusion for the average family regarding healthy food choices. A plant-based diet can eliminate that confusion. Encouraging children to eat a rich plant-based diet starts with us.

Health: the Greatest Gift of All

There are many creative examples of food preparation that can spark the attention of even the most persnickety of eaters. Being creative in food preparation can be fun and include the entire family. As parents it is our responsibility to provide a safe and nurturing environment for our children. In this respect, our children’s health is also our responsibility. If we can navigate through the misleading advertising and confusing food labeling ploys, then we are truly on our way to raising healthy children. Children’s self-esteem, self-worth, and safety are a major focus for parents. The commitment to their overall health is just as important. We can support the health of our children by continuing to be role-models for them. It’s important to make sure that we work to improve our children’s health, one meal at a time.

References

American Psychological Association. (2015) The Impact of Food Advertising on Childhood Obesity. Retrieved March 31, 2015, from http://www.apa.org/topics/kids-media/food.aspx

 Gremont, Caron. (2013). Inspiring Healthy Habits one Bite at a Time. Retrieved April14, 2015, from http://www.firstbites.org/#!familyprogram/c114