Be Healthy From the Very First Mouthful

I am sure that I am not the only adult who has battledactivities a safer more appealing option.
weight gain. Today, merely looking at a piece ofFour: Tired parents who are working and stressed
cheesecake adds centimetres to my hips. Could thiskeeping up with the demands of life and financial
be linked to my poor childhood eating habits?pressure, take the easy option for pre prepared foods.
Research reveals, yes. Unfortunately, obesity is notChildren are often tired and cranky after being in care
just a physical problem restricting movement but itand getting home late. Giving them what they demand
leads to the body breaking down with conditions suchisn't always the healthiest option but it prevents
as liver disease, heart disease and diabetes. Add toarguments.
this low self esteem and social awkwardness leadingHere are four easy steps to start a healthy future for
to relationship challenges and behaviour disorders andyour baby or child?
the future looks pretty bleak. One in four childrenOne: Be kind to their developing liver and limit or better
suffers obesity in Australia today. As quoted by Jamiestill avoid highly processed and packaged foods
Oliver at TED awards "these children are looking at acontaining preservatives.
future with a life expectancy 10 years less than theirTwo: Decrease their likelihood of developing obesity
parents". Statistically, diet related disease is fastand related diseases by limiting or avoiding simple
approaching as the number one killer and is acarbohydrates and refined sugars which are stored as
generational and global problem.fat if not used.
Obesity is a preventable disease largely due to theThree: Encourage plenty of supervised playtime in the
following four areas:fresh air. Create bigger backyards.
One: The increase consumption of processed andFour: Take control. Shopping shelves are stacked with
takeaway foods. Everything needs to be quick ornutritionally lacking foods but it is you who chooses
better still instant and readily available with minimalwhat stays out and what goes in your trolley.
preparation. I am not just talking about teenagers; it isWhen you familiarize babies and children with whole
starting with babies.foods eaten at regular intervals with daily physical
Two: A poor understanding of natural foods and whyactivity, you are demonstrating healthy habits for life.
they are important for good health. Children start theirWeight gain and associated lifestyle changes creep up
life with canned and packaged foods with noslowly and insidiously, robbing us of abundant life. Don't
involvement in the preparation or culture around healthydo this to your babies and children. Be healthy from the
eating.very first mouthful. 'taste it - easy baby & toddler
Three: Minimal outside play. We live in a communityrecipes along with professional child health advice' will
with larger houses and smaller backyards and the feargive you practical guidelines for a healthy start to your
of paedophiles and kidnappers in our streets. Parksbaby's eating habits.
can have hidden needles on the ground leaving inside