Eating habits last a lifetime!
Stating that 1 out of every 10 school-age children is obese, experts point out that healthy and proper eating habits should be taught in childhood. Stating that the best model is the family, experts emphasize that parents should set an example in proper nutrition. According to experts, attention should be paid to meal times, home-cooked meals should be preferred instead of ready-made, packaged and fast-consumed meals. Consumption of fresh fruit and water instead of ready-made fruit juices should become a habit.
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Nutrition and Diet Specialist Assist. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gizem Köse said that proper eating habits should be acquired from childhood.
It is necessary to make reading labels a habit
Stating that it is very important to read the labels of the products purchased from outside and to know the ingredients, Asst. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gizem Köse said, "It is necessary to know what we take into our bodies and what we feed our children. Because the way of eating turns into a habit that the child cannot change for a lifetime and using this habit in a healthy way is very important for raising a healthy child.
Stating that 1 out of every 10 school-age children is obese according to the latest researches and that a healthy society can only be possible with healthy individuals, Köse said, "Considering that these children will continue the same nutrition and lifestyle when they reach adulthood, it can be seen how risky a group is obese." and emphasized that changes should be made in the lifestyles of obese children.
Parents should change their habits first
Stating that in order to change the eating habits of children, parents should first change their eating habits and lifestyles, Asst. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gizem Köse said, "Children primarily take their closest ones, that is, their caregivers, as role models. In order for children to reach normal body weight, first of all, the nutrition at home should be healthy and regular. For a healthy and regular diet, meals should be consumed on time and fast foods should be avoided."
Less energy, more protein with home muffins
Stating that parents may find it difficult to observe their children when they are outside, Köse said, "The products to be taken home are in the hands of the parents. Try to buy foods with low sugar content for your children's health. If possible, instead of buying from outside, have them consume products that you know the content of, that is, products produced at home. For example, instead of a packet of chocolate, they will get less energy and more protein from 1 slice of cocoa cake.
Beware of hyper flavors!
Stating that fast consumption means both the excess of additives used in the production and the delay in satiety after consumption, Assist. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gizem Köse said, "The increase in additives means an increase in food consumption along with taste. In short, fast consumption is both hyper delicious and not filling. As such, children want to consume these hyper-tasty foods more often and their energy intake increases accordingly. It is entirely your choice to make similar products at home or to choose restaurants where you know how to make them. If you have difficulty convincing your child, try to explain to your child with the reasons, after a while he/she will understand you and his/her motivation will increase as he/she loses weight."
Instill the consumption of plenty of water at an early age
Stating that children should gain the habit of drinking water instead of canned drinks, Assist. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gizem Köse listed her suggestions as follows "Avoid foods high in salt and sugar, cracker-biscuit group containing additives. When buying chocolate, you may think that dark chocolate is healthy, but as the cocoa content increases, the sugar content also increases. Pay attention to the proportion of fruit in drinks sold as fruit juice, sugar can be added to breads to flavor them and make them addictive. Do not consume products containing fructose syrup anymore. You should also be careful when buying dried fruit, these products also contain sugar."