Steer kids toward eating well
By David Ishii
Teaching a youngster to eat well isn't something that can be done in a day or even a week. There is no surefire way to make sure a child makes perfect food choices, but there are things you can do to steer your child away from unhealthy eating habits and toward a stronger, healthier body.
Children pick up on eating habits just as they pick up on any other habit. Whether it's covering their mouths when they cough, saying please and thank you, or taking off their slippers before coming into the house, children learn habits over time and with encouragement from their parents.
So how can a parent begin teaching a child to make healthy food choices?
Begin teaching your child the difference by reserving items such as candy, chips and sodas for special events, birthdays, holidays or family celebrations. Offer fresh fruit to go along with your child's breakfast, or carrots rather than sweet treats as an after-school snack.
While a parent can't keep watch over everything a child may eat at school or at a friend's house, bringing your child up with healthful habits and a basic knowledge of nutrition puts her in a good position to make healthy choices through childhood and for the rest of her life.
This column is provided through the Hawai'i State Teachers Association. David Ishii is a sixth-grade teacher at La'ie Elementary School.
