Its not a big surprise that kids today cul addicted more to the television and teote control, the monitor and JlOlSSe pad, instead of a cricket bat or a tennis racquet. With the advent of the computer age, rw find that more and more of the youger gener'aA child is rarely to blame for a sweet tooth, since the taste for sugar is acquired through eating sweeter and sweeter foods. (Guess who
provides. these foods to them?) A sweet tooth is cultivated by eating more and more carbohydrate foods, and not just sugars.
The stark reality (which few parents rea.lize) is that pampering your child with refined carbohydrate and high glycemic sugary foods (chocolates, pastries, burgers, pizzas, concentrated fruit juicers, fizzy drinks) on a daily basis can lead to gradual weight gain, and even decreased attentiveness!!
Sugary foods and refined carbohydrates should be reserved as weekly 'treats', and should act as incentives for the child, for good school grades, discipline, athletic performances etc. Juices should be diluted in water, and an emphasis on whole fruits (with higher fiber, vitamin and mineral content) should be placed. Hence these foods can be used as tools for occasional motivation, rather than giving the impression to the child that these 'tasty' foods are readily available (and hence they are often over consumed).
WINNING THE WAR AGAINST VEGETABLES
Another good habit to develop with your children is eating vegetables with each meal and, as a rule eating something raw. Many
parents have the same problem - their children'
eat too few vegetables. The trick is to prepare vegetables in a manner in which they taste good. Using different types of flavorings, seasonings and dressings can make a vegetable dish something to look forward to. Avoid overcooking of vegetables. Raw carrots, peas, mashed and baked potatoes (with the skin intact) are usually favorites with children. Serving something raw with each meal, such as carrot, cabbage or tomato helps to develop a taste for' salad foods.
So start imprinting good eating and fitness habits in your children. Teach them to eat during designated meal and snack times. For example, don't let them get into the habit of eating in front of the television, or eating freely all dav and all ni2ht 10n2.
VITAMIN AND MINERAL SUPPLEMENTATION
Consult your physician to recommend a good, chewable multivitamin and mineral formula designed for your teenager.
A recent article published in the medical journal Lancet reported that infants given diets enriched with the omega-3-fatty acid DHA (Docosohexaenoic acid) displayed greater problem solving ability.This is available over the counter.
THE RIGHT WAY TO EXERCISE FOR TEENAGERS
For beginners, exercises with movement without resistance, but which involve the movement of each joint through the full range of motion, stretching of muscles, and low resistance high speed activities like skipping ropes, jumping, sprinting, cycling and swimming are advisable. Pull-ups and chin ups in particular help to increase height. Moderate resistance exercises that can be attempted include push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and squats. This varies from child to child and requires expert supervision and individual guidance. After all, one 15 year old could possibly complete 10 push-ups and his classmate could struggle to complete even one. Hence the second child requires guidance
Sixteen and 17 year olds can do weighttraining exercises, but their aim should be to conduct 15 to 25 repetitions per set, and they. should NEVER train with maximum effort. The reason - during puberty, the bones are still growing, and strenuous resistance exercise may interfere with bone growth; thus, teenagers should not begin working out' intensely with weights until they have completely "matured" physically. A DEXA bone scan, conducted in hospitals, is best for determining whether the tennagers has matured physically (from the point of view of bone
growth). Please consult an orthopaedic surgeon for further detailstions are getting less and less active.
It has been found that a lack of exercise iand fitness has direct repercussions on the tudents ability to study and even interact witb.. friends. Besides increased confidence, other benefits reported by fitter children include higher self esteem and lesser reliance on television and cigarette smoking as habits
pass time.
In fact, a new trend is emerging in /
metropolitian cities like Mumbai wherina of college kids are saving money, in ord
pay for personal trainers in gyms! This healthy and encouraging sign, but as they sawell begun is half the battle won! The othhalf still remains, and this is where
tennagers even with the most sincere an
dedicated intentions may fail.
Introducing the perfect health approach all teenagers.
THE RIGHT TYPE OF DIET FOR TEENAGERS.
THE SNACK CULTURE - THE ROOt Of
THE PROBLEM. |
