Learn Tips On 5 A Day: A Healthy Diet of Fruits and Vegetables for Your Family
For years, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has encouraged people to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. This is definitely something to strive for, but how many of us can actually do it? And how many more of us can get our kids to do it?
For years, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has encouraged people to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. This is definitely something to strive for, but how many of us can actually do it? And how many more of us can get our kids to do it?
Imagine a day in the life of a child. From the time they wake up to the moment they once more lay their heads on the pillow at night, we fill their days with activities and toys and television. They are often toted around with mom and dad who take little time to promote a healthy diet in their hurry to get through the day.
Good habits should start at the beginning. The pregnant mom has a tremendous opportunity to begin instilling a healthy diet before the child is even born. If mom is eating junk during the pregnancy or during breastfeeding, the odds that the child will one day follow suit are huge. There preferences for this kind of food will be set early. So mothers should start their children out right. Providing babies with healthy diets in the womb and at the breast can help children be stronger and healthier.
Of course, children's eating habits, good or bad, are not just gained from experience in the womb or at the breast. Children learn by example too. Parents should always remember that they are being closely watched by little eyes. So eating healthy is just as important for mom and dad as it is for the kids.
But how do we incorporate the CDC's suggested 5 A Day of fruits and vegetables when there are opportunities for junk food at every turn? Or when life gets too busy to take the time 5 A Day seems to require?
Limit your trips to fast food restaurants. No more eating on the go! These "quick fixes" at dinner time do more harm than good. Too often we justify them because of the time they save, but in the long run, shortening our lives and compromising our health is not what we want for us or our kids.
For example, fast food and eating on the go are more convenient. We ignore the fact that they cause damage to our own bodies and to the welfare of our children. Instead of us instilling good eating habits in our children, we take shortcuts, dropping by for a sausage and egg biscuit on the way to work or picking up pizza for dinner. I understand that most of us are always on the go and it is difficult to cook meals regularly. But there are tons and tons of activities we choose over spending time in the kitchen.
When a healthy diet becomes a conscious part of your family's lifestyle, 5 A Day will come much more naturally. An active and long life will come much more naturally for you and your children too.
Another way to keep 5 A Day a reality for your family is to be intentional about limiting your bad habits. Cut out the fast foods. Stop doing what's convenient and instead do what's best. Opt for healthy snacks. Even with two busy parents, it's hard to keep track of what the kids may be eating. But if the options you provide are healthy, you and your kids will be in much better shape.
So don't delay! Start implementing a healthy diet for your family today, and soon you'll be including five servings of fruits and vegetable on a regular basis. 5 A Day can mean a healthier family for you.
For years, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has encouraged people to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. This is definitely something to strive for, but how many of us can actually do it? And how many more of us can get our kids to do it?
Imagine a day in the life of a child. From the time they wake up to the moment they once more lay their heads on the pillow at night, we fill their days with activities and toys and television. They are often toted around with mom and dad who take little time to promote a healthy diet in their hurry to get through the day.
Good habits should start at the beginning. The pregnant mom has a tremendous opportunity to begin instilling a healthy diet before the child is even born. If mom is eating junk during the pregnancy or during breastfeeding, the odds that the child will one day follow suit are huge. There preferences for this kind of food will be set early. So mothers should start their children out right. Providing babies with healthy diets in the womb and at the breast can help children be stronger and healthier.
Of course, children's eating habits, good or bad, are not just gained from experience in the womb or at the breast. Children learn by example too. Parents should always remember that they are being closely watched by little eyes. So eating healthy is just as important for mom and dad as it is for the kids.
But how do we incorporate the CDC's suggested 5 A Day of fruits and vegetables when there are opportunities for junk food at every turn? Or when life gets too busy to take the time 5 A Day seems to require?
Limit your trips to fast food restaurants. No more eating on the go! These "quick fixes" at dinner time do more harm than good. Too often we justify them because of the time they save, but in the long run, shortening our lives and compromising our health is not what we want for us or our kids.
For example, fast food and eating on the go are more convenient. We ignore the fact that they cause damage to our own bodies and to the welfare of our children. Instead of us instilling good eating habits in our children, we take shortcuts, dropping by for a sausage and egg biscuit on the way to work or picking up pizza for dinner. I understand that most of us are always on the go and it is difficult to cook meals regularly. But there are tons and tons of activities we choose over spending time in the kitchen.
When a healthy diet becomes a conscious part of your family's lifestyle, 5 A Day will come much more naturally. An active and long life will come much more naturally for you and your children too.
Another way to keep 5 A Day a reality for your family is to be intentional about limiting your bad habits. Cut out the fast foods. Stop doing what's convenient and instead do what's best. Opt for healthy snacks. Even with two busy parents, it's hard to keep track of what the kids may be eating. But if the options you provide are healthy, you and your kids will be in much better shape.
So don't delay! Start implementing a healthy diet for your family today, and soon you'll be including five servings of fruits and vegetable on a regular basis. 5 A Day can mean a healthier family for you.
About the Author:
Tony Khatemi with 25 years in the field of exercise, nutrition and healthy living focused on digestive health. Living by example is his motto. Pickup a free reports on fruits and vegetable capsules . for the most natural and effective supplements in the world. Please type IBD, IBS, Crohn's or any GIIBD, IBS, Crohn's or any GI related disease in the search box for results.