Being overweight isn’t easy for any of us. Being a child and being overweight can be even more tough. Not only can children suffer from physical issues, but emotional issues also. Being bullied by other children, feeling like they don’t fit in and not feeling good enough because of the way they look can leave a lifelong emotional scar on children. Being an overweight child can also lead to becoming a heavy adult and this can lead to many weight related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol and stroke. Keeping your children active and nourishing their bodies with healthy and nutritious foods will help them with weight loss and keeping them at their healthiest.
Keep the packaged and processed foods away:
Having packaged foods and processed foods not readily available at home will reduce your children reaching for them when they are hungry. Packaged foods are full of unnecessary sugars, oils, artificial colours and additives which do nothing to help nourish our bodies. Keep fruits and vegetables at hand, sugar free yoghurts, and take the time out make healthier cookies and cakes so that when temptation strikes, your children have options other than processed foods to grab. There are plenty of recipes available online and I have shared a few in some previous blog posts as well and on my Instagram page @nourishbynush. Keep an eye out for some more recipes on the blog as well.
Don’t buy sodas and packaged juices:
Sodas and packaged juices are full of sugars. Keep these away from your children and teach them to drink more water and fresh vegetable and fruit juices. Fresh vegetable juices would be the best to drink but freshly squeezed fruit juices are also a much better option compared to the packaged ones and sodas. Fruit is full of natural sugar and great antioxidants.
When they feel like having a milkshake, make them a delicious smoothie filled with fruits, yoghurt and you can even sneak in some spinach into the mix ( they won’t even know!) These simple swaps will do wonders for your child.
Keep them active:
Encourage your children to keep active. Take them out for walks or runs, play some football or throw around a ball in the evenings or dance around. Anything that keeps them moving and active is great. If you can, enroll them in some classes. Tennis, swimming, dance classes, or any other sport that interests them. Make sure it’s something they enjoy and they’re more likely to stick to it! Anything that burns calories and keeps their heart healthy is a step in the right direction! This will also limit the time they spend in front of the television or in front of a screen. Set a time that they can watch TV at and also set a time where they need to get in their physical activity. This will ensure that they stick to a schedule!
Be an inspiration:
Our children usually do what adults do. If you eat correctly, they’re more likely to eat what you eat. If you play a sport or keep active, they’re also going to want to do that. Teach your kids how to be healthy and stay fit and they will follow suit. This will also give you and your children more quality time and nothing can beat that!
Let us know how you’re keeping your children happy, healthy and fit. Share your stories with us and tag us @yapp_totos and @nourishbynush on Instagram.
About the author: Anushka Chandaria is a certified health coach. Through Nourish by Nush (Instagram: @nourishbynush) she helps clients reach their health goals using a holistic approach by taking into consideration all aspects of well being such as their mind, body and soul.
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