Start Your Kids Healthy Eating Habits Early
// September 22nd, 2011 // No Comments » // Healthy Cooking, Healthy Food, Healthy Lunches, kids
A new study published in the American Heart Association’s journal found that if you teach children from a young age to eat healthy, it can have lifelong health benefits.
Over one thousand children were followed from the age of 7 months through age 14. The researchers found that children who were taught to eat a healthy whole foods diet, with healthy fats like those found in nuts, seeds, and plant oils, had slightly lower cholesterol levels than children who ate an unrestricted diet.
Dr. Art Labovitz, cardiology director at Saint Louis University School of Medicine pointed out that even a small decrease in cholesterol levels can have a big influence over the course of your child’s life
Dr. Sarah Blumenschein, a pediatric cardiologist with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, said the study shows that “the earlier you intervene, the more likely you are going to be successful.”
By avoiding the saturated fats and trans fats which are in most processed foods, fast foods and junk foods, children will lower their total fat intake and enjoy more of the benefits that a healthy diet has to offer. When children are in their teens and begin eating unsupervised away from home, their healthy diet habits will guide them towards better food choices automatically.
We encourage parents everywhere to educate themselves on the nutrition information available about the foods that their children eat. You will both be glad you did.
