In my opinion, one of the best gifts that you can give your child is the value of healthy eating.

It saddens me when I see Mothers feeding their children processed, packaged, genetically modified, fast, high fat, high sodium and sugar packed “foods.”  I hyphenate “foods” as they really are more “non-foods” than they are actual “foods.”

“But it is all they will eat.  I’d rather them eat this than nothing at all…” is what I hear Moms say.

This only further breaks my heart.  Children are what we feed them.  They develop their palate based on what we provide at meal times.  They have no control or power over what they eat when they are infants.  They develop their habits and eating patterns from us, the caregivers.  It is crucial that we introduce our children healthy foods from the get go!

Sadly, childhood obesity is a rapidly rising epidemic.  Although North America has the largest percentage of overweight children, the adoption of Western lifestyles is breeding this problem in countries all over the world.

Childhood obesity can cause many different problems and can seriously affect the child both mentally and physically now and into adulthood.

Physical Effects:

  • Type II Diabetes
  • Asthma – overweight children are more likely to get asthma
  • Metabolic Syndrome – high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low HDL can all put the child at risk for developing many serious diseases later in life
  • High cholersterol
  • High blood pressure
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Early puberty

Emotional/Mental Effects:

  • Low self esteem as a child and into adulthood
  • Bullying
  • Behavioural problems
  • Learning problems
  • Depression

We have all heard the saying “practice what you preach.”  This saying has much validity when it comes to being parents and role models to our children.  Kids are not going to eat their vegetables if we are chowing down on a “Big Mac and Fries!”

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We must step up, take control of our own eating and what we are putting on the table for our children.  We must be health advocates, mentors, educators, role models and support our children to adopt the extremely important value of health.  

Let’s take control of the situation and take serious consideration into the behaviors and habits that we are creating and instilling for our little ones.

The power is within us, Mommas…

Kelly, S & O xo

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