The SpecialMoms Parenting Magazine 1st Issue | Page 26

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Feature Article

4 Steps To Help You Help Your Family To

Eat Healthier In 2014
by: Cindy Cohen RN
The New Year is always filled with new inspiration,
new promises and a new start to do better this year.
Parents spend time and money giving their kids the
best of everything. The best schools, the best sports
and the best education they can afford. The one
thing that is overlooked is how parents can give their
kids the best health. Just like giving your child the best
education increases their success in life, giving your
kids the best health gives them the best chance at
a happy life filled with vitality. Eating a healthy diet is
the best health insurance to achieve the best health.
Kids are now beginning to develop adult diseases as
a result of their poor eating habits signaling to us this
has to change; healthy eating habits are no longer
an option, they are a priority.
Now is a great time to get your priorities back on
the “road to better health”. I’ll admit this road is

Step 1. Make health your family’s goal
Kids begin to learn by watching you, and then decide
accordingly. So you must choose health first. Kids of
every age can begin to learn what a healthy diet is
right from the first bite of food. As babies and toddlers
they learn by you giving them only healthy foods to
eat. As they grow older you teach then foods to eat
more of and foods to eat less of. As they grow older
into school age you teach them about how to make
good food choices, such as portion sizes and label
reading. As pre-teens they start to learn about menu
planning, healthy food shopping and preparation. At
every stage of development food is an important part
of learning to take care of ourselves in a healthy way.
Set a goal now to move your family towards health.

Step 2. Enroll everyone as participants

confusing, filled with detours and setbacks however

It’s important for everyone to be on board. This

with the right guidance, taking one step at a time, it

begins with learning why choosing a healthy lifestyle

is easier than you think.

is important for each person in your family and our

26  The SpecialMoms magazine ~ Winter 2014