Obesity is becoming more of a dangerous epidemic in Canada that is plaguing not only adults, but our children as well. It’s hard to escape the presence of unhealthy food. Whether it’s the abundance of fast food joints that are located everywhere you turn, or the stores that strategically place those sugar-loaded treats located just low enough to strategically tempt our children. It can feel like fighting an uphill battle when it comes to helping our children avoiding excessive weight gain.
If your child is struggling with obesity, here are some strategic ways to help you and your child combat it together.
Reduce, Avoid Sugar Intake
Sugar is one of the leading causes fof childhood obesity. It is one of the major catalysts for weight gain. By significantly reduce your child’s consumption of sugar, you will see significant results and improvements with their weight. Start them off good and early by avoiding candy, pop, and anything with excessively high amounts of sugar-based content, such as high-fructose corn syrup.
Help them Embrace Fruits and Veggies
We know how picky children can be when it comes to eating enough fruits and veggies. So try to incorporate them in creative ways that will make them taste appetizing. Make fresh fruit cobblers, or fruit salads for breakfast. Cut up those veggies and mix them in with your pasta sauce. Substitute mashed cauliflower for potato and sneak in spinach into smoothies. Look for creative, tasty ways that will set your children on the right path for embracing healthy eating. Having easy grab-and-go healthy snacks prepped in the fridge is also a great way to combat those snacking cravings and avoid junk food. The vitamins and nutrients in fruits and vegetables are key to developmental growth, energy, focus, and overall health.
Get Active
Of course, staving off weight gain and obesity also comes down to encouraging your children to be active and stay active. That means the earlier you can get them off of the couch and embracing the good old outdoors, the higher chance they have at maintaining an active lifestyle as they continue to grow. Encourage them to get out on their bikes, throw around the baseball, or sign up for a karate class. Having them participate in a physical activity, whatever their particular interest may be, will be well worth the investment in their health in the future. Kids learn from their parents, so set a good example by maintaining an active lifestyle yourself. Do healthy activities as a family. You’re never too old to be active!
Avoiding childhood obesity seems to be more and more of an increasing challenge these days. With the plethora of unhealthy food that’s available, combined with a sedentary lifestyle, eating right, stepping away from those electronics, and other healthy habits are more important than ever. Help your child avoid excessive weight gain now and in the future by encouraging them right from the get-go to embrace healthy foods, avoid that dangerous sugar, and learn that they can have just as much fun outside, away from their laptop or iPad.
