HOUSTON – We can all agree that no hearts are more important on Valentine’s Day than our kiddos.
Houston Life’s Melanie Camp paid a visit to Children’s Memorial Hermann Pediatrics in Katy to chat with pediatrician, Dr. Krystal Batchelor, about some of the healthy habits you can teach your children early on, to set up healthy lives in the long run.
Watch the video above for some ideas on how you can help give your kids a Heart-Healthy Head Start!
“Heart health in kids is extremely important. And not just in adolescence...it is important from the very start,” said Dr. Batchelor.
To help keep your children heart-healthy, it is important to teach healthy habits early on. Some of which include emphasizing a well-rounded, balanced diet, and regular exercise.
Your kids mirror what they see and you can lead by example. By the age of two, most children have transitioned to table food. It is in these early years that parents should begin placing emphasis on structuring a heart healthy and balanced diet.
A well-rounded balanced diet will include a variety of foods from the 6 major food groups and these food groups together provide all of the essential nutrients for optimal growth and developmental including a healthy heart.
Think about feeding your family meals that include the following:
• Lean Protein/Meat/Fish
• Whole grains
• Vegetables
• Fruit
• Low Fat Dairy/ or high calcium/ good vitamin D nondairy substitutes
• AND WATER!!!!
Ways to make healthy eating fun include activities that get your kids invested in the process. If you prepare the meals together, your kids are much more inclined to try new vegetables and foods because they have a hand in making the meal. It gives them a since of pride having contributed to getting the meal ready. It also teaches them healthy habits and cooking skills so they may one day prepare healthy meals on their own.
Cooking together is also great for family bonding and divides one of the major household duties among all family members.
Some healthy eating habits include the following:
• Eat meals together at least three times a week as a family and minimize distractions when doing so, especially the television. Research shows we consume higher portions when meal time or snack time is done while watching television.
• All children should have seven hours of moderate intensity exercise or play a week. This is another example where as a parent you can model expected behavior to your children. Think about spending at least two hours a week of exercise or active play with your kids.
• Minimize screen time to less than two hours a day.
• Make sure you are an advocate for your child. See your pediatrician regularly for well child checkups. Assist your pediatrician in monitoring cardiovascular indicators like BMI, blood pressure, and cholesterol at age-appropriate intervals and inform your pediatrician if your family history is high risk for these or early cardiac events like heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes.
For more information, visit memorialhermann.org/CMHP or call 281-644-8955.