5 Ways To Help Slim Down Your Child

Get out of the house as a family, get gym passes for everyone and try to attend at least twice a week, for a time.

Bring out the bicycles and get to pedalling, go to the parks for long walks, runs, jogs and more.  

Hold walking contests, like who can reach a particular point in a set amount of time, using a pedometer that counts your steps, this is loads of  FUN.  

Don't exert yourselves though, everything should be done in moderation and to a gradual buildup.  

Parents might want to consider starting children on a healthy diet while they are babies with lots of natural vegetables, fruits and grains so they get accustomed to the these foods.

If you're trying to get an older child who is already overweight; sit the whole family down, and   explain that a healthier lifestyle would be better for everyone.  

This way a particular child won't feel "picked on"  make sure to talk about the health issues of excess weight.

Keep the bowl full of fresh fruit, toss in some fruit strips, kids love these and they have vitamins with  natural sweetners.  In the kitchen cabinet replace table salt with 'sea salt'.

Gluten Free, whole foods, are going to be essential in the trimming down, and many delicious to boot.

Grocery Stores that specialize in natural/whole foods are your friend, they have lots of healthier delicious foods and meals, from drinks, to juices, to meats, the lists is endless.  Good food is not cheap, so, for a less expensive gourmet type health food store, Trader Joe's is a great alternative as is the Whole Foods chains. Love both.

Pack the kids  lunch box with some fruits, or let them choose which fruit they want. A tuna fish sandwich (with tomatoes, lettuce) cheese is optional, but if so, make sure to buy some good cheese, not plastic wrapped processed cheese. 

A good idea is to let kids help you prepare their healthy lunch, the night before if possible, this activity will get everyone involved. 

Children might feel that he or she won't fit in with the other kids because they'll be eating school lunch.  

Siimply relay that "it's too bad their parent didn't take the time or even cared to prepare a healthy lunch for them. Lunch prepared by MOM rules"  Tell your kids that, and keep on truckin.

When going out as a family to the mall, there are loads of fast foods vendors all over the place, and when your children see other kids eating 'what they want', they may get a little testy.  

You can soften this by switching meal types, like every other mall trip, healthy eats one trip, and treat eats on the next outing.  You DO NOT want your chirldren to begin coming up with elaborate schemes and excuses to avoid being with the family and meal time, so try to make it fun and adventureous.  

Going to the movies, where buttery, salty  popcorn is served--Let kids have some, but replace soda with water, keep in mind that some theaters offer healthier popcorn choices too.  The goal here is to start switching to a healthier diet slowly.

Have even more fun with activities you can do in your backyard--kickball is good one as it gives legs and thighs a good workout.

Children love to jump and jumping trampolines, keeps the weight down, will give them hours of fun exercises and great for their cardiovascular system as well.  

Place one in your backyard or where ever you have space and away they go.  

Wii games are great for the entire family and come with many exercise games to do at home right in your livingroom.

Remove excess fattening snacks,and replace with nuts,  grains, yogurts.  Let your kids watch the healthy food channels, or Vegan channels, even though you're not going Vegan, they and you will learn a lot about health benefits, in general.

Remove the temptation for children to eat while watching television, as this can create a lazy atmosphere and temptation to eat more as they see commercials with tempting fast foods.

Set up a sechedule for eating at home, as you probably won't be able to control what your child might buy or eat away from home, but  you can instill eating habits that will grow on them in time.

Remember, DON'T become the 'food police' as kids will only rebel, start small, slowly, and let them have some 'temptation eats' too, kinda of mix 'em until you can wean them down significantly.

Try not to use or offer food as a reward, your child must understand if he/she is overweight  that  healthier eating is good for them physically, and mentally as well.  

You can help maintain good eating habits with quality organic food choices for children.