Dr. Shashi Sharma

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Whether you have a toddler or a teen, I believe, five of the best strategies to improve nutrition and encourage smart eating habits in kids would be :

1. Have regular family meals.

2. Serve a variety of healthy foods and snacks.

3. Be a role model by eating healthy yourself.

4. Avoid battles over food.

5. Make eating a playtime and probably a way of spending quality time with your kids.involve them in the process.

Kids who take part in regular family meals are also:

- more likely to eat fruits, vegetables, and grains

- less likely to snack on unhealthy foods

- less likely to smoke, use marijuana, or drink alcohol

You could Follow these basic guidelines:

1. Work fruits and vegetables into the daily routine, aiming for the goal of at least five servings a day.

2. Make it easy for kids to choose healthy snacks by keeping fruits and vegetables on hand and ready to eat. Other good snacks include low-fat yogurt, peanut butter and celery, or whole-grain crackers.

3. Serve lean meats and other good sources of protein, such as fish, eggs, beans, soya, tofu.

4. Choose whole-grain breads and cereals so kids get more fiber.

5. Limit fat intake by avoiding fried foods and choosing healthier cooking methods, such as broiling, grilling, roasting, and steaming. Choose low-fat or nonfat dairy products.

6. Limit fast food and low-nutrient snacks, such as chips and candy. But don't completely ban favorite snacks from your home. Instead, make them "once-in-a-while" foods, so kids don't feel deprived.

7. Limit sugary drinks, such as soda and fruit-flavored drinks. Serve water and low-fat milk instead.

And above all ----- Be a Role Model Yourself!

The best way for you to encourage healthy eating is to eat well yourself.!!!!

That's all for now, for my next dose(article) ...stay tuned!