Setting by Example in 2012

Did you know that kids learn their eating habits from their parents? If that is the case, then I know why my daughter is not real keen on peas, neither is her mom. And why my daughter doesn't like sugar on her cereal, neither does her dad.

Giving your child healthy choices and eating these choices in front of them is the best example you can set as a parent. For dinner, I will give my daughter 2 choices of vegetables - usually raw versus cooked. For snack time after school, she gets 2 fruit choices. By just adding fruits and vegetables to the menu, you are beginning a healthy start with your child.

One of the hardest things I have found, is being out and about traveling or otherwise, and trying to determine what to grab for lunch. I have purchased special travel lunchboxes. Each of the girls also have a travel canteen that I can fill with juice or water. I work with the girls to fill up the lunchbox. Putting healthy items in that the girls have picked, which usually ensures they will eat it. Not only is this cheaper than eating out, it is also so much healthier than grabbing chicken nuggets and soda.



If I must stop, I typically only stop at Subway. The girls can get a sandwich, yogurt or apples as their side and juice, milk or water to drink. The fat content of this meal is so much less, and my girls love lettuce, tomatoes and other veggies on their sandwiches.

Similarly, I pack a lunchbox for me and my husband. I will pack fruits, cut veggies, protein bars and other low fat snacks. We will not eat anywhere but Subway if out. And my sandwich of choice is always a veggie foot long and a bottled water. That's it. The bread gives me the carbs to keep me full, the veggies are obviously a better choice than a Big Mac and I might add mustard for some flavor, which has 0 grams of fat.

I've noticed that my daughters don't always ask for fast food anymore. They look for their lunchbox, or they ask for Subway. By me and my husband changing what we like eating, and our preferences, our daughters are trying new things and actually liking these preferences.

In addition to eating, my husband and I have been exercising. My husband's oldest daughter is active all the time. She loves being outside and is riding her bike or walking with her baby dolls. Our youngest daughter does yoga with me on the Wii and rides her bike while I go out and walk or run. They both love that me and my husband are outside and more active these days. We are no longer on the sidelines, we are right in there with the kids, playing right along.