{"id":541,"date":"2012-07-30T10:16:06","date_gmt":"2012-07-30T01:16:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tajera.com\/cezars\/?p=541"},"modified":"2020-04-23T14:11:30","modified_gmt":"2020-04-23T05:11:30","slug":"hey-whats-to-eat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cezarskitchen.com\/ja\/hey-whats-to-eat\/","title":{"rendered":"Hey, What\u2019s to Eat?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Unless you\u2019ve been totally out of the loop, it\u2019s likely you\u2019ve heard about the childhood obesity epidemic. Nearly 1 in 3 children in America is overweight or obese. It\u2019s talked about on television, radio, the Internet, and in books, newspapers, and magazines. Yet, with all this focus on kids being overweight and obese, many parents are still confused, especially when it comes to what kids eat. How much does your child need? Is he getting enough calcium? Enough iron? Too much fat?<\/p>\n
Whether you have a toddler or a teen, what he eats is important to both his physical and mental development. Here\u2019s what children need \u2014 no matter what the age.<\/p>\n
Toddlers and Preschoolers<\/h3>\n
\u201cToddlers and preschoolers grow in spurts and their appetites come and go in spurts, so they may eat a whole lot one day and then hardly anything the next,\u201d says Loraine Stern, M.D., FAAP, a clinical professor of pediatrics at the UCLA School of Medicine. It\u2019s normal, and as long as you offer them a healthful selection, they will get what they need, she says.<\/p>\n
Calcium: One area parents should probably keep under watch is calcium. Calcium, the body\u2019s building block, is needed to develop strong, healthy bones and teeth. Children may not believe or care that milk \u201cdoes a body good,\u201d but it is the best source of much-needed calcium.<\/p>\n
Fiber: Fiber is another important focus. Toddlers start to say \u201cno\u201d more and preschoolers can be especially opinionated about what they eat. The kids may want to stick to the bland, beige, starchy diet (think chicken nuggets, fries, macaroni), but this is really the time to encourage fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans, which all provide fiber, Dr. Shu says.<\/p>\n
Elementary School<\/h3>\n
Areas that might be a little too sufficient are sugars, fats, and sodium. \u201cThis time is when kids first go to school and have a little bit more choice in what they eat, especially if they\u2019re getting it in the cafeteria themselves,\u201d Dr. Shu says. Cakes, candy, chips, and other snacks might become lunchtime staples. The body needs carbs (sugars), fats, and sodium, but should be eaten in moderation, as too much can lead to unneeded weight gain and other health problems. Packing your child\u2019s lunch or going over the lunch menu and encouraging her to select healthier choices can help keep things on track, Dr. Shu says.<\/p>\n
Preteens and Teens<\/h3>\n
As puberty kicks in, young people need more calories to support the many changes they will experience. Unfortunately, for some, those extra calories come from fast food or \u201cjunk\u201d foods with little nutritional value. Some adolescents go the opposite way and restrict calories, fats, or carbs. Adolescence is the time kids start to become conscious of their weight and body image, which, for some, can lead to eating disorders or other unhealthy behaviors, Dr. Stern says. She recommends parents keep an eye on things by being aware of changes in eating patterns and making family dinners a priority once or twice a week.<\/p>\n
Like calories, calcium requirements are higher. Calcium is more important than ever during the tween and teen years because the majority of bone mass is built during this time. However, fewer than 10 percent of girls and just more than 25 percent of boys ages 9 to 13 are at or above their adequate intake of calcium. Encouraging kids to have milk, milk products, or calcium-rich alternatives, even if it means they have to add chocolate syrup to their milk to make it more palatable, should help them get more calcium.<\/p>\n
Although getting your child to eat healthy \u2014 regardless of his or her age \u2014 can be a constant battle, its one well worth fighting. A healthy child becomes a healthy adult, and only with your support and guidance will your child be both.<\/p>\n
![\"Child\"](\"http:\/\/cezarskitchen.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/kid.jpg\" "\\"child\\"")
Unless you\u2019ve been totally out of the loop, it\u2019s likely you\u2019ve heard about the childhood obesity epidemic. Nearly 1 in 3 children in America is overweight or obese. It\u2019s talked about on television, radio, the Internet, and in books, newspapers, and magazines. Yet, with all this focus on kids being overweight and obese, many parents are still confused, especially when it comes to what kids eat. How much does your child need? Is he getting enough calcium? Enough iron? Too much fat?<\/p>\n