National Childhood Obesity Week takes place in July. This week is to help shed light on an increasing problem in this country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity affects roughly 14 million children and adolescents.

While some look to the government to enact legislation to tackle the childhood obesity epidemic in this country, there is much we can do in our own homes to teach children proper nutrition.

Education is Power

Our children are far more likely to eat the right kinds of foods if we teach them as early as possible about proper nutrition. Here are some tips on setting your kids on the right nutritional path:

Have Them Get Picky About Produce

Get your kids involved at the grocery store or farmer’s market. Teach them how to pick out ripe, fresh produce. If you aren’t sure how to do it, then you can learn together!

Get Them Involved in the Planning

Ask your children to help you plan a meal. You might ask which vegetables they would prefer for a side dish, or which veggies you should include in your salad or tacos. Maybe they can be in charge of picking out which fruit you will enjoy for dessert.

Get Colorful

Kids love colors, and luckily the healthiest foods on the planet are colorful. You can ask them which color bell peppers you should use for dinner or if they would prefer green or purple cabbage in the salad.

Your Taste Tester

Kids that are exposed to a variety of foods and flavors when they are young have a better chance of eating healthy meals as adults. Get your kids involved when you are cooking. Have them be your personal taste tester letting you know if something is yummy or needs a bit more salt.

While it may seem easier to not have your kids involved in the shopping or preparing of food, know that making the effort now can have a profound impact on their choices as adults, and this could lead to better health outcomes.

Learn more fun ideas on how to get your kids learning about good nutrition.

SOURCES:

• http://www.whathealth.com/awareness/event/obesity.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html
• https://lifeandhealth.org/nutrition/making-nutrition-fun-for-kids/1140.html
• https://www.nutrition.gov/topics/nutrition-age/children/kids-corner

Did you know that every June 16th is National Fresh Veggies Day? The holiday was started to help create awareness about the benefits of eating fresh vegetables. 

These days, many people opt to eat process or fast foods, neglecting to get enough servings of veggies that offer the nutrients they need to be healthy. The more fresh vegetables you eat, the healthier you will be – it’s really that simple. 

So, this June 16th, make a commitment to eat more fresh veggies. Support your local organic farmers or think about growing your own veggies in your backyard or maybe a local community garden. 

Health Benefits of Eating More Fresh Vegetables 

Your mother was right when she told you to “eat your veggies!” Veggies are loaded with vitamins, mineral and antioxidants that offer many health benefits. 

Here are some of the top health benefits of eating more fresh veggies: 

Decrease Inflammation 

Fresh, organic vegetables are one of the best foods to eat to decrease chronic inflammation. Scientific studies have now concluded chronic inflammation is the root cause of most diseases. 

Improved Blood Pressure 

According to the CDC, roughly half of American adults have high blood pressure. Eating more potassium-rich foods can offset too much sodium (salt) in the diet. 

Heart and Gut Health 

Veggies contain a lot of beneficial fiber, which is great news, because most of us aren’t getting enough. High fiber foods can help your heart and gut health. 

Eating more veggies can also boost your immune system, improve your eyesight, improve your skin, and help your mind stay young and working optimally! 

 

Veggies to Enjoy This June! 

Now that you know just some of the health benefits of eating more vegetables, here are some that are available in June: 

• Beets 
• Bell Peppers 
• Corn 
• Cucumbers 
• Eggplant 
• Green Beans 
• Lima Beans 
• Radishes 
• Summer Squash 
• Zucchini 
• Tomatillos 
• Tomatoes 

Happy – and healthy – eating! 

SOURCES: 

• https://happydays365.org/fresh-veggies-day/fresh-veggies-day-june-16/ 
• https://foodandhealth.com/calendar/?calendar_m=06&calendar_y=2022 
• https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7902170/10-health-benefits-of-eating-vegetables-according-to-a-dietitian/ 

Body positivity is a movement started by the idea that all human beings, regardless of their size, should feel good about themselves. Body positive advocates encourage others to celebrate their bodies and accept themselves the way they are, instead of trying to squeeze themselves into a physical mold that society has deemed “attractive.”

But is it possible to be body positive and still manage your weight? The two concepts appear, at first glance, to be contradictory. 

I am of the belief, and I share this belief with many others, that it is completely possible to have a body-positive mindset and still be cognizant of your weight. The key is understanding the impetus behind your desire to manage your weight.

Healthy Reasoning Behind Weight Loss and Management

Do you want to lose weight so that you look like a fashion model – a body that has been deemed “attractive” by society? Or are you wishing to lose weight because, if you’re honest with yourself, you don’t feel great? You don’t have a lot of energy, your joints ache, and your hormones are out of balance, causing a variety of unpleasant symptoms.

It is great to love yourself however you look. But it is equally important to ensure that you are as healthy as you possibly can be. At a certain point, excess weight can and often does cause health issues.

When it comes to being body positive and managing weight, there is one major rule of thumb I recommend you follow:

Focus on Health

It’s a good idea to focus your energy on healthy behaviors. Mental health and physical health are both important to our overall well-being. So love yourself fully by making choices that are healthy for you.

Try eating intuitively and mindfully. Make sure to get enough sleep. Go for walks with friends. Make choices that make you feel good. When you do this, you will love yourself, truly and totally.

RESOURCES:

• https://patient.info/news-and-features/is-it-possible-to-lose-weight-and-be-body-positive
• https://www.oxygenmag.com/life/mind-and-body-for-women/can-you-be-body-positive-and-still-want-to-lose-weight-top-experts-weigh-in/
• https://test.flare.com/health/body-positive-weight-loss/

Every parent wants their child to grow up to be as healthy as possible. Sadly, rates of childhood obesity in this country have skyrocketed, increasing over 800% since 1982. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obese youths have a far more likely chance of developing heart disease and high cholesterol as they age. They are also most likely to develop prediabetes, sleep apnea, joint issues, and poor self-esteem.

Parents can help their kids develop healthy habits by following some of the following tips:

Give Them Choices

Loading your kids’ plate or lunchbox with healthy foods may not be the best way to get them excited to try new flavors. Instead, give your kids the choice of what they want to try for lunch or dinner. Do they want beets or Brussel sprouts? Blueberries or bananas? Rice pilaf or sweet potatoes? Kids love having choices, and you’ll love that they’re eating healthy!

Plant a Backyard Garden

If you REALLY want to get kids excited about eating more fruits and veggies, then have them grow their own. Caring for a garden not only encourages your kids to eat what they help to grow, but it also teaches them environmental responsibility. If you don’t have enough outdoor space for a garden, check out your local community to see if you can get involved with a community garden.

Teach Your Kids to Read Labels

So many of the foods on grocery store shelves would have you believe they are healthy, but if you read the label, you’ll see they have hidden sugars and trans fats. Even “healthy” foods like yogurt, granola bars, soups, and cereal may contain way too much sugar. Teach your kids to turn those cans and boxes around and read the labels to understand exactly what they are eating.

The bottom line is, the more fun you have and the more you involve your kids in decision making, the more apt they’ll be to try healthy foods and LIKE them, and grow up to be healthy and happy.

SOURCES:

• https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/healthy-habits/5-ways-to-help-kids-develop-healthy-habits
• https://brainmd.com/blog/how-to-make-healthy-living-fun-for-your-kids/
• https://akomaunitycenter.org/5-simple-ways-to-help-your-kids-develop-healthy-habits/