Nutrition for your At Risk Child (and Yourself)
Getting your at risk child to eat a healthy diet is important because an unhealthy diet and low vitamin intake may further increase his risk for problems. In addition to eating a healthy diet, at risk children should take a daily multivitamin. Ask your health care provider for a recommendation.
At risk children may be picky eaters and forcefully refuse to eat healthy foods. It is important that you not give in if your child demands to eat only junk food. Getting your child to eat a healthy diet should be part of your strategy to teach him to make wise choices regarding his own well-being. Make life easier for yourself, don't keep potato chips, cookies, candy and sugar soda in a place where your child will be able to help himself to these items.
When trying to change behavior, it is much easier to ADD A GOOD BEHAVIOR, than to stop a bad behavior. Therefore, work on adding healthy foods to your child's diet, Take these simple steps.
1. Switch to whole grain breads and cereals.
2. Unless there is a nut allergy, keep peanuts, sunflower seeds and other nuts available for snacks (but watch the added salt).
3. Provide raw baby carrots, celery and raw vegies for snacks and in lunches instead ot potato chips.
4. Have your child eat fruits and vegitables (or juices), with every meal and snack. Have him eat these first. If he fills up on these, he is less likely to eat too many calories. Choose juice with added calcium.
5. Drink a glass of milk or eat 4-6 oz yogart or cottage cheese, or 2 oz cheese with every meal and snack.
