Yesterday, on 14th November, the whole world celebrated Children’s day and undoubtedly showered the children with gifts and chocolates. But from today,let’s give our kids the gift of a healthy lifestyle. With our ever growing social and professional commitments, we rarely notice when health takes a backseat. And the most affected by this are the children. A sedentary lifestyle does not only cause health problems in them, it affects their overall growth and development, even causing long term damages in some cases. Probably the best thing we can do for our children is create an environment where they see healthy life choices being made so that they imbibe them spontaneously instead of having to be imposed with those. And of course the best way to do that is to lead by example.
The need to eat healthy and be physically active cannot be stressed enough. In our busy schedules, we tend to lean towards eating more take outs, snacking on the go and often forget to sweat it out.
• Eating right is the first building block towards being healthy and fit. Our bodies need a variety of different 
nutrients and since no one food imparts all the necessary vitamins, minerals, proteins and carbs, it’s important to strike a balance. Bring variety to your plate- that way the kids won’t get bored of eating the same things and are
more likely to have all that you serve.
Make sure to include lots of fruits and vegetables into your diet. Every meal should have a fruit or a vegetable. Children also need a lot of protein for their overall growth. Chicken, lean meat, fish, eggs, low-fat milk (only babies under 2 years of age need whole milk), nuts and lentils are some great sources of protein.
• Make sure you have at least one meal together as a family. Your children will be happier eating the healthy things
when they see you having the same with them. And you can utilize this time to educate them about healthy choices and transfer these to your child’s lifelong habits. The nice family time is a bonus.
Also, include your children in the shopping, planning and preparing of meals. Participating in these chores helps them adopt the healthier food options with more ease.
• Every child blooms with appreciation. It’s important to praise their little achievements, but we often reward
them with junk food like candies and chocolates and ice creams or with extra TV time which is ultimately detrimental to them. Instead, take them out to play or gift them a book.
• Planning outdoor activities is another great way of spending quality time with your kids as well as getting some exercise. Simple things like riding the bike, taking a walk, going for a swim or just playing ball can go a long way in 
not only instilling healthy habits but also teaching them coordination and important social skills. Letting them discover the joy of sports let’s them relate exercise to fun and not to a detested chore.
• Outdoor activities also get children away from TV, computer, mobiles, ipads and all the other gadgets that have
become such integral parts of our lives. Extended time in front of these affects their brain and eye sight and also increases tendencies of snacking on junk like chips, cookies, soft drinks and the like. Limit screen time to a maximum of 2 hours per day and keep healthy snacks at hand.
Children notice and follow their parents more than we realize. They are consciously or unconsciously picking up your habits. So in order to instill healthier habits in your kids, make sure you yourself lead an active and healthy lifestyle. Make the right choices for yourself and your family and watch your children grow in mind and body, into beautiful, healthy and positive individuals.
Tags: healthy lifestyle
