Some children need to lose pounds but the first goal should be to stop gaining. The most important weight loss tips for kids are to plan a healthy diet and lifestyle, not a diet. Growing children need a well balanced diet for growth, so don’t remove whole food groups. Stopping weight gain may be as simple as changing to non-fat milk, eating healthy snacks or not super-sizing portions. Eating in front of the TV leads to overeating. Serve meals and snacks at the table.
Eliminate high fat, less nutritious foods like hamburger, sausage, bacon, french fries, chips, cookies. Avoid fast foods and sodas. Replace with turkey, chicken, fish, peanut butter, beans, soy. Serve fruits and vegetables at every meal. Eating fruits and vegetables is okay in any amount at any time.
Control portions while satisfying hunger by serving smaller meals and offering healthy snacks to satiate hunger. Some healthy snacks kids like are cheese, eggs in tortillas, whole grain cereal with low or non-fat milk, rice cakes or whole grain waffles with peanut butter, vegetables with hummus dip, fruit, yogurt or smoothies made with nonfat yogurt.
For young children, introduce new foods and snacks, slowly eliminating the not so healthy choices. Increase exercise by introducing new games. Go on family walks or bike rides, or play interactive Wii games. Other activities that may spark their interest are jump ropes, trampolines, rollerskating, more time spent at the park or swimming.
Older children need to feel in control. They need information, encouragement, and motivation. Parents lead by example. Only healthy foods should be available in the pantry. Older children may be embarrassed about their body size, not wanting to work out in a public gym. A treadmill can be a good investment that serves the whole family. Family activities like walks, bike rides, and Wii games can be fun for all. Consider purchasing a trampoline or a basketball hoop for the backyard.
Weight charts refer to bone structure when recommending weights. When your child wraps his thumb and middle finger around his wrist, fingertips meeting indicates medium bone structure. Overlap indicates small bone structure, a gap indicates a large-boned frame. A nutritionist can assess bone structure and muscle development to set realistic and healthy goals.
If your child continues to gain pounds or is obese, ask your doctor for weight loss tips for kids. There may be a program for children at a local hospital or clinic. If you’re not making progress at home, consider a weight loss camp. Most are designed to be fun with lots of swimming and hiking. Your child won’t be embarrassed participating. The key is to develop lifelong habits of eating well, and finding an activity that will be engaging and fun, not a lifetime spent trying to muster enough willpower.
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