There are so many debates today about what families should do to prevent obesity and it seems like everything I hear is all about what foods to avoid and what not to do…we are been inundated with negative messages and then the consumers are left very confused if not in a panic!
Well, I want to let you know that healthy eating habits are not about eliminating foods from your diet, but about learning how to have balance so we do not eat more than our bodies require. While I believe that cutting calories is one of the factors to keeping the obesity low, there’s no prescription for weight loss. Obesity is a multi-causal issue and, as health professionals, we know that Americans derive sugar from many places – not just sugar.
Balance is important
By focusing on one single food alone, we are missing the bigger picture. A healthy lifestyle is about moderation, balancing calorie intake and taking part in appropriate levels of exercise. Only those factors in tandem with nutrition education will truly solve our obesity issue. And, as mentioned yesterday in the webinar on “Nutrition and Children – Sustainable Model for Future Generations” sponsored by the Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition (BCFN), I think learning how to properly utilize the resources available efficiently is a great place to start.
If your family needs healthier eating habits or is at risk for developing chronic diseases, you’re probably wondering, “What can I do to help and motivate my family?” Here you will find the tools you need to help your family to make smart simple food choices.
Healthy eating habits don’t become a habit overnight. It takes time and effort to make them part of your routine. The following tips will help you get started.
Tips for motivating your family to eat healthy:
- Family is important – Family is a major part of every child’s life and often the most influential factor in helping your child make healthy choices. Think about their health as you will handle other important issues in your family. Your family is your most valuable prized possession: preserve their health for the long run.
- Have a plan – Meals tend to be healthier when we plan them ahead of time, so try to plan menus a week or a month at a time. Keep track of healthy meals your family likes and keep experimenting with new healthy recipes from time to time.
- Start slow – Do not try to revamp heating habits overnight but decide on one specific change at a time; and do not rush. Remember this is going to be for a lifetime not just for a week.
- Never give up – Without a doubt you will find resistance from someone in the family. Even when the family does not show much progress or interest, do not be discouraged. Chances are that you are making progress in many other ways: you are probably eating together more often, planning meals together, feeling more energetic, etc. If you stay the course you will continue to make progress.
- Get creative – Allow your kids to help you in the kitchen with age appropriate tasks. Letting kids help you in the kitchen gets them excited about a meal and can spark creative, healthy meals your family will eat.
- Be a good role model – Kids usually want to do what their parents do. Eating a variety of foods is a great way to model healthy habits. Research shows children are often more willing to eat healthy foods and be active if they see their parents and other family members doing these things first. For best results try to get everyone in the family involved. The chart below shows the foods that should be included in the optimal weekly diet. (Source: BCFN Position Paper)
- Be patient – It’s okay if your family doesn’t like every meal you serve. If you keep exposing them to new varieties, they will find ones they like! Persistence will pay off eventually.
- Celebrate – When the family has turned a healthy change into a habit, it’s time to celebrate! Reward the family with a fun activity everyone will enjoy. Activities such as camping, visiting an amusement park or just a night in your backyard will let them know that you really care.
This blog is sponsored by Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition (BCFN).
