Time to get your child into healthy habits

Time to get your child into healthy habits - Children all over the world are starting to feel nervous about the return to school after a lovely long summer at home. Many children feel under pressure to perform well at school and many parents naturally want their children to do well in a competitive world.

The school summer holiday provides children with a wonderful release from routine and academic pressure to do well. The start of the new school year is a good time to get children into a new healthy routine. Children need a balanced life to do well in school. Healthy foods and adequate exercise help them to maintain good health and do their very best at school. Many schools do not offer enough exercise to keep your child healthy.

Start following these three simple healthy habits now to instil healthy behaviour throughout the coming school year.

Back to school breakfast

Studies have shown that children who eat a healthy breakfast are able to concentrate and perform better in school.

Parents can act as healthy role models by eating breakfast with them. To do this you will have to make time by packing bags, preparing uniform and getting lunch boxes organized the night before to ensure there is enough time to eat breakfast.

Here are some healthy breakfast tips for your child:

• Layer low fat yogurt with berries and top with granola.
• Whole-grain cereals, with milk. Top with fresh or dried fruit.
• Whole grain toast with honey or mashed banana.
• Boiled egg and toast.
• Have a special breakfast on Fridays featuring smoothies, pancakes, waffles, or croissants as a treat for eating healthy on weekdays.

Lunch boxes

Making up children’s lunch boxes is time consuming and it is very tempting to buy in ready-packed single portions that can be quick and easy to send the children off to school happy. But you have to be very careful. Drinks can be labelled good for you because they contain Vitamin C — yet they are also full of colorants and artificial orange flavoring. Buy freshly squeezed juice and add a little water. Always provide a bottle of cold water.

It is not necessary to buy small supermarket ready-wrapped lunch box snacks: Even if you are busy you can quickly prepare a happy lunch box. Children like small bite size portions so make a wholemeal bread sandwich and cut it into 8 bite size pieces; put a few grapes or berries in a bowl — cucumber and carrot sticks with a little dip are fun. And most children enjoy cherry tomatoes. t is important to also include a small treat in the lunch box. It is good for children’s teeth if they finish lunch French style with a small piece of cheese. Crisps or chips should be end-of-week treats or allow just a very few each day: Not a whole packet.

Exercise and activity

Try to encourage your child to do something active each day, such as a hobby, play a game or be involved in sport.

To increase your child’s level of activity, try to:

• Discuss a limit on the amount of time spent watching television or computer.
• Do something physical and active together.
• Go and watch your child play sports.
• Encourage daily activity, such as using the stairs. ( arabnews.com )