How Do I Get My Daughter to Eat Well and Stop Dieting?
Research shows that routine dieting is a common practice in a significant percentage of adolescent girls. Pubescent girls are particularly vulnerable to the perfect body images that they see on TV and in magazines. But with 40% of the body's skeletal growth occurring at this time it is considered by health professionals to be a dangerous time to be dieting. So, providing there are no underlying medical issues to warrant dieting, how do we encourage our daughters to practise healthy eating and good nutrition?
Eating three meals a day including a healthy breakfast is of paramount importance. Many adolescent girls will skip breakfast in the mis-guided belief that it will help them lose weight when in fact it makes it harder. Encourage shared breakfast and evening meals with the family as often if possible. This has the combined benefit of giving you quality time together whilst also giving you greater input when it comes to what and how much your daughter is eating daily.
Did you know that teenagers get a third of their daily food intake from the snacks they consume? Make sure you have plenty of healthy snacks in the cupboard including plenty of fruit, yoghurt, dry biscuits, nuts and cheeses. Remember, if you don't buy the junk food then she won't be eating it at home.
Try to introduce new healthy foods during mealtimes. Teen girls (and boys) are sometimes more willing at that age than previously to try something new, so use that opportunity to experiment with new healthy foods. You should also teach them how to prepare healthy meals and snacks as a quick and easy alternative to fast food.
Teenage girls are extremely impressionable so be conscious of your own attitudes to dieting and body shape. Discuss these issues in a positive way with your daughters and present a healthy lifestyle for your daughters to follow. If you are dealing with your own weight loss then adopt a long term lifestyle strategy and avoid fad dieting that is likely to be unsuccessful in the long term.
Finally, young girls will mirror what they see and hear at home. Make it a priority to follow the principles of good nutrition and regular exercise in your own life and your teenage daughter will be more likely to adopt the same mindset that will hopefully last her a lifetime.
Eating three meals a day including a healthy breakfast is of paramount importance. Many adolescent girls will skip breakfast in the mis-guided belief that it will help them lose weight when in fact it makes it harder. Encourage shared breakfast and evening meals with the family as often if possible. This has the combined benefit of giving you quality time together whilst also giving you greater input when it comes to what and how much your daughter is eating daily.
Did you know that teenagers get a third of their daily food intake from the snacks they consume? Make sure you have plenty of healthy snacks in the cupboard including plenty of fruit, yoghurt, dry biscuits, nuts and cheeses. Remember, if you don't buy the junk food then she won't be eating it at home.
Try to introduce new healthy foods during mealtimes. Teen girls (and boys) are sometimes more willing at that age than previously to try something new, so use that opportunity to experiment with new healthy foods. You should also teach them how to prepare healthy meals and snacks as a quick and easy alternative to fast food.
Teenage girls are extremely impressionable so be conscious of your own attitudes to dieting and body shape. Discuss these issues in a positive way with your daughters and present a healthy lifestyle for your daughters to follow. If you are dealing with your own weight loss then adopt a long term lifestyle strategy and avoid fad dieting that is likely to be unsuccessful in the long term.
Finally, young girls will mirror what they see and hear at home. Make it a priority to follow the principles of good nutrition and regular exercise in your own life and your teenage daughter will be more likely to adopt the same mindset that will hopefully last her a lifetime.
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