Proper nutrition starts with healthy childhood habits
My mother and father always told me that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
It helps to provide calories for whatever activities lay ahead for the day.
It breaks the overnight fasting period and helps to boost energy levels and alertness.
Another common phrase I would hear growing up is: “You are what you eat!”
Learning how to make informed food choices and starting to develop healthy eating starts early.
It’s important to eat a variety of nutritious foods every day.
Different ways to achieve this goal are to include food from all food groups, learn to read the nutrition labels on food packaging, and take the time to enjoy your food.
“We at Brevard Public Schools understand the importance of healthy nutritious food for healthy brains and bodies,” Brevard County School Board Chair Misty Belford said. “Our Food and Nutrition Services team work tirelessly to provide great tasting food options that help our students to achieve their best in the classroom, on the field and on the court.”
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to good nutrition.
If you need help or have questions, be sure to ask a registered dietician or physician to help guide you.
Sometimes individuals think that by eating a sugar free or fat free snack, that they can eat unlimited amounts of that item. Not true.
Children who snack on nutrient-rich foods from a young age are more likely to continue those good habits later in life.
If you are trying to break an unhealthy food habit, forbidding certain foods that are in the home may seem like a good idea. However, it may lead to behavioral problems in your kids such as tantrums. That is why food should not be labeled as “good” or “bad,” nor should it be restricted.
Be sure to have plenty of healthy alternatives available to fill the spot of any foods you may have removed from the home.
Wash and cut fresh fruits and vegetables into pieces ahead of time; then, place them within easy reach in the refrigerator.
Grade schoolers feel more independent when they have options, so try keeping a snack drawer of healthier items and let them choose a food from it every day. If you want your kids to eat more fruit, offer it pre-sliced or cut in fun shapes.
More:Hammerling-Hodgers: Those aches, fatigue could be signs of Lyme Disease
More:Hammerling-Hodgers: Is your face mask causing rashes or other problems?
More:Hammerling-Hodgers: Be wary: Botox parties can do more harm than good
Eating is a learned behavior and kids learn how to eat by trying new foods at least 15 times. Don’t force it.
Trying to decode the nutrition label can be overwhelming. Try to focus on just a few nutrients to make label reading more manageable.
As children and teens become more independent, parents often are no longer in control of everything they eat.
Teaching the general principles of healthy eating will help guide teens when they’re out and about. Mobile apps and other online tools may help and motivate students to be mindful of eating habits.
For example, they could use reminders to drink plenty of water and get their daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
“Healthy Nutrition Month is always a good time to take stock of where Florida stands when it comes to battling food insecurity, which is one of my top priorities,” says Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried. “This pandemic has only worsened chronic hunger in Florida, with nearly 3 million Floridians and 850,000 children unsure from where their next meal will come.
“Almost one in five Floridians is food insecure, so we rely on partnerships at the federal, state and local levels, and the private and non-profit sectors, to help keep people fed. That includes supporting Florida’s food banks, helping schools serve 319 million meals through our school lunch and breakfast programs, and making emergency food assistance available for seniors and low-income families.
“Healthy nutrition means more than just having enough to eat — it’s about making healthy food choices, too. I’m always encouraging people to choose Florida-grown produce, meat, seafood and other commodities — I’ve even told people in the grocery store to look for the Fresh From Florida label! Buying fresh, locally-grown food isn’t just good for you, it’s good for Florida’s two million farmers and ranchers and our state’s 47,000 farms.”
Always remember to read food labels and be mindful of portion sizes when eating. This can help keep you on track for healthy eating.
Susan Hammerling-Hodgers, a Member of the National Psoriasis Foundation, is a PA-C (Certified Physician Assistant) and MPAS (Master of Physician Assistant Studies) and works at Brevard Skin and Cancer at the Merritt Island, Titusville and Rockledge offices.
