Kids and teenagers have a very different lifestyle and diet as compared to adults. If you are an adult and have children of your own, I’m sure you would have experienced a seemingly endless amount of your kid’s energy and unhealthy craving for fast food and sweets. If you yourself are a child or a teenager, I’m sure you’re tired of your parents nagging and complaints “stop eating McDonalds!”, “Eat your vegetables!”, “Get some fruit”, “chips again?” . and various other objections eat

The truth is; if children or teenagers do not eat well, they will not develop properly, they will be more likely to be overweight, they will be susceptible to various diseases, cardiovascular diseases and acne, and they are likely to have erratic mood, experience depression and basically, experience less enjoyment of life

Now the million dollar question. “If I’m a parent, how am I going to get my kids to eat healthy, or, if I’m a teenager or a kid, how do I start to eat healthy?”.

For parents first important advice I can give you is: Kids imitate people they believe are good for photos. Therefore, trying to get kids to eat healthy has to start from you. When you have a balanced diet and enjoy a healthy life, your children will naturally begin to develop healthy eating and living habits themselves. I further below other advice and tips that I recommend to help promote healthy eating and living to your children

Eat together When the whole family sits at the table to eat breakfast or dinner , your children will observe what you cook or eat. Furthermore meal times are the best way to maintain and strengthen relations with children as families naturally tend to have a conversation over meals. Besides the health benefits of nutritious balanced meal, studies have shown that children who have a stable family relationships have greater self-esteem and tend to do better in school

Get them involved :. Whether you are shopping for groceries or cook meals, get the kids involved. Learn to read nutrition labels and teach them to your children when you are shopping. Compare and contrast the differences between the nutritional value of the product (ie. Potato and noodles) and help them choose the healthiest meals and snacks for lunch their boxes. The key is to also give them a little freedom for them to choose what food products they want. If they choose something that is unhealthy, gently remind them nutritional and advised that they should only eat them occasionally as a treat. When cooking, show them what really goes into the food they eat, and let them help with a ‘decorate’ and garnishing food, stir the soup or setting the table, etc. This encourages children to be proactive at home, leave for nutritious foods and promote family togetherness

Have healthy snacks within reach, putting unhealthy snacks out of reach :. Place fruit in the fruit bowl on the kitchen bench where it is most comfortable and where everyone can see. Or pre-cut fruits such as watermelon and put them in a Tupperware in the fridge for the best flavor and ease if your children are craving a quick snack. Nuts and low fat pretzels make a great snack, too, so open the package and pour them into the bowl for easy access. Snacks like chocolate, high-calorie muesli bars and candy should be stored in the top cabinet out of sight. The less your child sees it, the less likely he / she will eat it

using supplements :! If children are not touching their vegetables or teenager to have erratic eating habits due to peer group and social, supplements are a great way reward the lack of nutrients caused by unbalanced diet. For kids, look for supplements that have ‘fun’ flavors and shapes to make them enticing but ensure that it is free from any artificial flavors and sweeteners. Nutrients that are important to children around 5-12 years are calcium for growing bones and zinc to improve and sharpen memory. Vitamins A, C, D, E, K, folate, biotin and niacin are also important in providing children enough antioxidants for optimal protection against disease and optimal immune system. For teenagers, looking website that covers and offers a wide range of vitamins and minerals for optimum body support that this is the level at which their body is undergoing the most growth and development. Essential nutrients including vitamin A, B6, B12, C, D, E, K, biotin, calcium, folic acid, iodine, lutein, lycopene, magnesium, niacin, riboflavin, rutin, selenium, thiamine, tumerikinu extract and zinc. Ensure that the website you’re buying with these vitamins and minerals as a minimum to ensure a healthy immune system function and optimal health for their growing adolescents bodies.

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Now, children and adolescents first principle of sustainable healthy eating is not completely eliminate junk food out of your life. If you try to do it, this will usually lead to intensive junk food cravings that sooner or later, you’re more likely to give in and binge on. The trick is to enjoy the unhealthy stuff sometimes, and substitute or replace unhealthy for healthy content regularly!

I’ve listed some junk food healthier choice ideas to get you started. But … be creative! The possibilities for healthier options can be endless!

Burger <--------------> sandwich with lean meat and less dressing

Chicken nuggets <--------------> Actual real chicken covered in bread crumbs and baked

French / Hot chips <--------------> baked grilled chips with herb seasoning and minimal salt

deep fried chicken <--------------> barbecue chicken

Chips <--------------> nuts, pretzels, cookies, Grain Waves chips, microwave popcorn

Muesli bar <--------------> Muesli with honey or low fat, high fiber chocolate health bar

is <--------------> Frozen yogurt, smoothies and health shakes

Cookies <--------------> Bagels / rye bread with a thin layer of low fat strawberry jam

Chinese Take Away <--------------> Sushi

Takeaway pizza <--------------> Home-made pizza with pita bread as a base and fresh ingredients with low-fat cheese

Remember to also get enough of sleep for optimal health results! Sleep is important because it improves alertness and concentration (so you can do better in school!) And is the only part of the day where your body gets a chance to fully recuperate, recover and heal. Sleep, along with exercise, will also help increase your power to help you last in your party. Exercise, along with a healthy diet, to prevent illness and help support a healthy physique and a healthy growing body … you want!

Finally, avoid cigarettes and alcohol. There is a reason that they are bored. Both cigarettes and alcohol will affect the mental and physical health and increase the chances of developing the disease and lung cancer. The longer you’ve been indulging in them, the harder it is for you to stop and avoid them. So be smart, start young, start cultivating healthy habits early, and avoid harmful addictive habits and lifestyle.

If you are interested and would like further guidance and information to achieve a balanced diet and the consequences of a deficient diet, go for more articles specifically concerning these issues.

Now remember, start importance of healthy eating and habits from a young and will be with you for life. So … parents would say … Eat your greens! (Or at least some of it!)

~ Regina