go back
It is practically hard to get your child to make healthy food choices. School is the best period for your children to adopt healthy eating habits, and teach him/her healthy activities and bodies1.
Below are a few tips for schoolers 2:
- Breakfast is crucially important: As a parent, you need to be your child’s role model, and encourage breakfast as it supports your child in staying active and concentrating at school. It also helps in maximizing his/her performance.
An adapted milk and a bowl of cereal would be an ideal start. - Equip your kid with a lunchbox: A packed home-made lunch is an ideal way to teach your little one about healthy food choices, and even help in their preparation.
An ideal lunch box would include: a cheese sandwich with vegetables, crackers, fresh/ dried fruits, raw vegetables, and a bottle of water. - Monitor your children’s after school snacks: Your child might be having swings when it comes to his/ her appetite, and that also depends on the level of physical activity. Therefore, you need to make sure that your kid’s snacks are as nutritious as possible. An ideal option would be cereal, fruits, yogurt.
- Monitor your child’s beverages: Some beverages may be surprisingly hypercaloric. Therefore, you will need to watch out on sugary drinks such as soft drinks and non-home-made juice that can be too rich in added sugars. Ideally, your kid must drink plenty of water, and consume two servings of an adapted milk formula.
- Limit processed foods: Minimize the consumption of certain foods including sweets such chocolate, chips, muesli bars, salami, ham, and processed meats.
Dr. Ziad Hashem
Pediatrician Infectious Pediatric Disease
