PREVENTING FOOD ADDICTION IN CHILDREN

If your child or teenager has a problem with overeating, then it is possible that you have gone through periods of frustration and concern. This is because you do not know how to go about it. With the right tips in place, you will be able to prevent your child from overeating, which in the long term leads to addiction.

Food addiction stems from emotional eating, and emotional eating is basically eating for comfort, or boredom, or in some cases, as a response to emotions. Emotional eating occurs because of interest rather than the desire for calories or nutrients.

When your child takes extra calories, it could make your child gain extra weight and become obese, it can also give your child the feeling of guilt and embarrassment.

Teaching and inspiring healthy eating habits in your child goes a long way. You are encouraging essential tools which will give him a lifetime of healthy living. Even when they become teenagers and they prepare their own meals and plan their activities, they still need guidance.

To start with, you need to be a good role model to your child. If you encourage good eating healthy habits, then it has to start from you. Your child would most likely follow in your footsteps. Ensure you take healthy foods and snacks. It might not be convenient for you at first, but there are long-term health benefits which you would cherish.

Closely related to this, make sure you have healthy snacks in your home which your children should take each day. You can have fruits like bananas and apples, carrots and the likes. You can also include lots of proteins which have low-fat, and include whole grains in the foods you prepare.

Always ensure that your child receives healthy food. They might not be fully receptive at the first instance. However, once you continue to give them, there are indications that your child will have healthy eating habits.

As a parent, try as much as possible to prevent fast-foods. When you go to a restaurant, ensure you select the healthiest set of meals present.