Healthy Eating Habits for Children 0-5
Healthy Eating Habits for Children 0-5
Chelese Smith
ENG/101
November 6, 2011
Tanya Akopoff
Healthy Eating Habits for Children 0-5 Chips, cookies, candy, and ice cream are all unhealthy junk foods for children; but children love to eat them. If a survey was conducted asking children which junk foods they love, they would very likely mention those listed above. Establishing healthy eating habits early in life contributes to the lifelong wellbeing of children. “Between the ages of one and five, children grow and develop rapidly, so it’s really important that they get all the energy calories and other essential nutrients protein, vitamins and minerals that they need for healthy growth. Their appetite will vary too, so don’t force children to eat if they don’t want to” (“Health eating for children under 5,” 2009, para. 5-7). In today’s modern society children spend more time eating junk food and less time eating healthy foods and exercising (Commentaries, 2006). Parents have opted to use the easy way out, which usually means fast food dining rather than preparing home-cooked meals for their families. This has resulted in more children becoming obese each year. Parents can be excellent role models for their children, and set fine examples of healthy eating habits. In order for parents to be successful in aiding their children to develop healthy eating habits, there are many vitally important steps that they must follow.
In order for children to benefit, it is vitally important for families to eat more home-cooked meals together rather than resorting to eating fast food all the time. When parents cook more meals at home, the parents controls the amount of calories that their child takes in. This allows the parents to control the amount of salt they use in their food; because in restaurants you don’t know how much salt is going into the food. According to HelpGuide.org, families must have meals together daily. Regular meals together as a family teach children the
Chelese Smith
ENG/101
November 6, 2011
Tanya Akopoff
Healthy Eating Habits for Children 0-5 Chips, cookies, candy, and ice cream are all unhealthy junk foods for children; but children love to eat them. If a survey was conducted asking children which junk foods they love, they would very likely mention those listed above. Establishing healthy eating habits early in life contributes to the lifelong wellbeing of children. “Between the ages of one and five, children grow and develop rapidly, so it’s really important that they get all the energy calories and other essential nutrients protein, vitamins and minerals that they need for healthy growth. Their appetite will vary too, so don’t force children to eat if they don’t want to” (“Health eating for children under 5,” 2009, para. 5-7). In today’s modern society children spend more time eating junk food and less time eating healthy foods and exercising (Commentaries, 2006). Parents have opted to use the easy way out, which usually means fast food dining rather than preparing home-cooked meals for their families. This has resulted in more children becoming obese each year. Parents can be excellent role models for their children, and set fine examples of healthy eating habits. In order for parents to be successful in aiding their children to develop healthy eating habits, there are many vitally important steps that they must follow.
In order for children to benefit, it is vitally important for families to eat more home-cooked meals together rather than resorting to eating fast food all the time. When parents cook more meals at home, the parents controls the amount of calories that their child takes in. This allows the parents to control the amount of salt they use in their food; because in restaurants you don’t know how much salt is going into the food. According to HelpGuide.org, families must have meals together daily. Regular meals together as a family teach children the