1. Possibilities within the centre
2. Breakfast
3. Snacks
4. Fibres on children’s menu
5. Physical exercise
6. Vegetable tips for children
1. Possibilities
within the centre 
To deal with the problem of obesity we have to intervene at a
young age. Obesity in children is harmful to their health but
also has psychosocial consequences (bullying, etc.). Our dieticians
will help your child by teaching it better and healthier dietary
habits.
We offer:
- Information about healthy food.
- Weight control.
- Information session on demand.
Plans for the future:
School project: it is not enough to make children aware and
encourage them to adopt a healthier dietary pattern, they also
have to
be motivated to exercise more. The project will be a joint
venture between the dietician, physiotherapist and the school.
2. Breakfast
A good breakfast can improve both our physical and our mental performance.
This holds true for adults but certainly also for children and young
people who are still developing. Eating breakfast improves the ability
to concentrate at school, but also contributes to a balanced and
adequate intake of food that, as is known, plays a primary role in
the prevention of all kinds of Western diseases such as obesity and
cardiovascular diseases.
A good breakfast can consist of the following
ingredients:
Drink: 1-2 cups of coffee or tea, water
or milk
+
Cereal products: bread (preferably brown or wholemeal)
A knife tip of fat on your bread OR
Breakfast cereals (preferably unsweetened)
+
Fruit: whole, on bread or juice
+
Dairy products: milk, cheese, yoghurt (preferably
low-fat dairy products)
3.
Snacks
Limit the number of snacks to 2 to 3 a day, in that way you have
an overview of what your child eats during the day. Eating sweets
every hour of the day not only promotes tooth decay, it also
contributes to obesity. Snacks that in the food
triangle fall
into the food groups vegetables, fruit, cereals and skimmed or
semi-skimmed dairy products can easily be used.
Comparison
of
Kcal
|
Type |
Kcal per 100 gr |
Apple with peel |
43 |
Chocolate biscuit |
525 |
Crisps |
559 |
Type |
Kcal per 100 ml |
Cola, apple juice |
44 |
Orange juice (unsweetened) |
40 |
Water |
0 |
|
4.
Fibres on children’s menu
Dietary fibres can play an important role in the prevention of
obesity. Fibres yield few or no calories, are absorbed more slowly
because they have to be chewed more and give you a better feeling
of satisfaction.
The current intake of fibres by children could
be insufficient to remain in good health and prevent disease.
That is why it
is recommended that children above the age of 2 should eat more
fibres.
It is important to take the fibres from different foods
and not just from fruit or brown bread for example. The different
goods contain different types of fibres that have a different
effect on the body. So variation is the key.
5. Physical
exercise
The enormous fall in physical exercise is one of the most important
factors in the current upward spiral of obesity. Research has
shown that children spend less than 20 to 25 minutes a day on
moderate physical exercise, whilst three times as much is recommended.
This influences the risk of obesity.
Try to stimulate your child to move more: walk the dog, join
a sports club, walk to the baker, etc.
6. Vegetable
tips for children
Vegetables are an important part in a healthy diet that can hardly
be replaced by other foods or vitamin supplements. The broad range
of vegetables is a rich source of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients
important for our health.
Every day, try to eat a large portion of
vegetables and provide sufficient variety. The taste buds change
as we grow older. Children
have to learn to like Brussels sprouts, chicory and mushrooms.
Do not force them on your child but do not take them off the
menu for good either.
Attach importance to what the child eats and
not so much how much it eats. Let it taste a little bit of everything.
Never
force children to eat. It might work once but it is pointless
in the long term.
Involve your children in the preparation of the
meal. This can stimulate their interest in tasting certain types
of vegetables.
