Use these key tips to talk to your kids about how to be healthy and the importance of living a life of activity and nutrition.

• It’s Not About Weight: Weight is just one indicator of health and often an extremely sensitive subject for kids. Emphasize how important it is to eat right and be physically active instead of just losing pounds. You don’t want to hurt their confidence or self image.
• Set food or activity goals: For example, stick to a plan to only have desert once or twice a week or to walk 30 minutes after dinner everyday. Kids love structure, and will go with the structure you give them.
• Talk to your doctor or dietitian: These key individuals are a great resource when talking with your child about their weight. You can work with them to help start the conversation. Most healthcare practitioners will be happy to help if you ask.
• Make it positive: Getting healthy is something to be excited about—it shouldn’t seem like a punishment. Talk about how fun it will be for everyone in the family to get active and try new, healthy foods.
• Make it a family affair: Talk about how EVERYONE in the family is going to work together to get healthier. Children should not be the only ones making changes. Parents, YOU MUST be the role model to your children when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle.
• Make it relevant: Explain why being healthy is important in a way that kids will understand. Kids don’t care that being healthy now will prevent their risk of disease in the future–kids care about running faster, playing longer.
• Kids are goal driven. Physical activity will improve their performance in sports, making them run faster or swing a bat harder. Kids want to feel good: Eating healthy will give them more energy and improve their concentration in school and with their friends.
• Keep it social: Physical activity can be a great way to make new friends. Kids are more likely to stick with an activity if friends are involved. Encourage your kids to invite friends for active play-dates such as basketball games or bike rides.
• Treat ‘diet’ like a four letter word: Adults don’t stick to diets, so why would kids? Teaching your children to eat and drink in moderation (including an occasional treat) will ensure they get the balanced meals they need.
• Food is not a reward: Saying you can have ice cream after you finish your carrots makes eating carrots a chore and ice cream the reward– the exact opposite effect you were going for.
• Just say no to ‘exercise’! Don’t present being physically active as exercise– kids may interpret that as a punishment. Encourage everyone in your family to try different activities and find one that suits everyone. Keep it fun!
• Take Baby Steps: Just like kids learn how to walk slowly, that’s how they should learn new habits. Don’t expect dramatic change instantly.

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For additional information or personalized nutrition coaching, please contact Kristen Bell, Registered Dietitian at www.kristenbellrd.com or 310-525-9570.