Low Calorie Foods for Kids: Low Calorie Recipes for Obesity and Weight Loss in Children

Obesity Trends in the United States, are rising dramatically across all ages, over the last two decades. According to the Centre for Disease Control and prevention, over 12.5 million children and adolescents in the United States are obese. Low calorie diet for kids is considered very beneficial in controlling obesity and preventing a host of other complications including cardiac and circulatory problems. Here are some low calorie recipes and foods along with life style modifications that can be beneficial in controlling obesity among kids.

Childhood Obesity
is rising incidence

Low Calorie Recipes for Kids: Guide for Healthy Dietary Practices

Early childhood obesity has been linked with increased risk of developing cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, hypertension and other morbidities as age advances. Regrettably, a rise in childhood incidence of diabetes, cardiac ailments and hypertension is also being observed. Faulty dietary practices and lack of physical activity are considered to be the prime culprits for the increasing incidence of childhood obesity. Here are some tips while preparing low calorie recipes for kids,

• Inculcating right eating habits from early childhood has become imperative. Children should be taught to avoid having heavy meals, which in turn implies an overload of fats, sugars and calories which in turn trigger a host of lifestyle disorders.
• The key to designing low calorie recipe for kids is to ensure that they are healthy whilst being yummy to taste.
• Involving the child in preparing the menu and determining what combination of foods that can be consumed is very vital. Child involvement in meal planning not only increases compliance but also makes the entire process enjoyable and less strenuous.

 Low Calorie Snacks for Kids: Preventing Obesity among Children

Avoid unhealthy snacks
and foods

Here are some low calorie snacks for kids that are high in nutritive value and also very tasty,

• Fresh fruits are considered as very healthy and beneficial snacks. Fruits are not only packed with anti-oxidants but are also loaded with dietary fiber. In addition fruits contain simple sugars that are easily broken down to generate energy. Ensure that your child has an “All Fruit Breakfast”. Fruits like grapes, bananas, apples, cherries, peaches, oranges, sweet lime, etc can be included in your child’s diet
• Dried fruits are also loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids and other vital nutrients which are healthy for the heart and prevent obesity. Consume at least one serving of dried fruits comprising of prunes, apricots, almonds, resins, cashew and dates.
• Increase the intake of fresh vegetable salads as snacks. Salads can comprise of parsley, spinach, tomato, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, etc. Salads should ideally have a low fat dressing.
• Cereals including Oats, barn, rice flakes, corn flakes, wheat flakes and pastas form a great snack option for kids. Cereal bars form a great mid evening snack for children. Cereals along with yogurt smoothie are healthy and tasty. Further yogurt is loaded with probiotics which improve digestion and improve intestinal health.

Involving kids in Diet Planning
can improve compliance

 Low Calorie Foods for Kids: Tips to help Weight loss in Children 

• Portion control is vital and critical part of low calorie diet for children. Discourage children from consuming large proportions of meals. Encourage consumption of small and frequent meals. Don’t put on the Television, while eating.
• Frequent helpings comprising of fresh or dried fruit are beneficial. Limit the intake of sugary foods, ice creams, cookies and fatty foods.
• Home made muffins, cookies, breads, cakes and biscuits are always better. Home made recipes should have a lower fat usage. Add loads of dry fruits, flax seeds, etc which help increase the nutritive value. Cook home made muffins in polyunsaturated fatty acids like olive oil, sunflower oil, etc. Avoid the use of hydrogenated oils or refined oils in cooking.
• Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, as it boosts the energy levels in the morning and also promotes metabolism. Alternate ‘all fruit breakfast’ which whole wheat sandwiches and cereals.
• Cook at home, restrict going out for lunch or dinner. Also teach your children to eat healthy. Help them make the right choice by promoting healthy foods like brown rich, fresh salad over unhealthy foods like burgers, confectionary items and pizza

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is characterized by decreased attention span or inattention and/or hyperactivity. The disorder is quite common among children and adolescents, and may also manifest in adults.

ADHD symptoms

The symptoms are illustrated under 3 heads –

Inattention

Hyperactivity

Impulsivity

Inattention:

• The individual is easily distracted by trivial and inconsequential stimuli, which are usually ignored by others.

• Poor concentration and inadequate attention to details, results in messy and careless work.

• There is an inability to finish school work or college work or paper work

• He can not perform tasks that require attentiveness.

• Shows a strong tendency to procrastinate

• Shifts from one incomplete task to another.

• The individual is disorganized at work and home.

• Forgetfulness and memory lapses are common.

Hyperactivity:

• The child / adult is restless, unstill, fidgety, gets up repeatedly and walks around the room, squirms in the seat.

• Difficulty in being engaged in quiet activities.

• Talks excessively.

Impulsivity:

• Impatience is highly marked.

• He will intrude and interrupt others.

• Starts conversations at the wrong time, blurts out answers even before the question has been completed.

• Occasionally, some could engage in potentially dangerous activities or situations, without taking into account the consequences.

ADHD diagnosis:

A person suffering from ADHD, will show some or all of the above clinical features.

These symptoms may be apparent in other individuals too, but the intensity and frequency of symptoms, is a lot higher in ADHD people. Manifestations occur at school, college, work, home or when visiting friends. It affects their ability to function normally.

Diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is made when the symptoms manifest for a period of 6 months and more.

ADHD treatment:

Treating ADHD is a multi-disciplinary approach.

Management for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

• Educating the parent, the teacher, and the child about the disorder is very important. It makes understanding the symptoms and dealing with them a lot more easy. School teacher and counselor involvement and participation.
• Family support is a crucial aspect of the management of ADHD, especially for ADHD adults.
• Drug therapy is advocated by counselors, but the usage of the drugs is associated with certain side effects.
• Cognitive Behavior Therapy to battle ADHD:

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a psycho-therapeutic approach that aims to solve problems concerning behavior, cognition, conduct, and dysfunctional emotion through a goal-oriented and systematic technique.

Behavior management focuses on accepting the patient’s behavior as a symptom of the disorder and not as a negative trait.

The therapy sessions are aimed at concentrating on the good behavior or appropriate behavior, while, ignoring minor inappropriate behavior.

Goal setting is an important element of the therapy. It is of essence that you set realistic and specific goals for the patient and help him accomplish them.

Rewards or consequences are also an integral part of the program. Appropriate behavior is rewarded whereas negative behavior bears the consequences.

Consistence and long-time therapy is needed for complete, effective, and lasting cure.

Meditation helps treat ADHD effectively:

• Meditation is a very strong and powerful tool that helps deal with all psychological issues. It is a wonderful way to support yourself during the healing process.
• Meditation will promote greater relaxation and peace.
• It will make you more mindful of your thought patterns, and help you identify and change negative thought patterns.
• It provides a more relaxed way to work, function and focus.
• Meditation helps prevent mistakes and accidents, and is highly useful to manage ADD (attention deficit disorder).
• It reduces mental chatter and aids in focusing at a task at hand.

 Homoeopathy helps fight attention deficit hyperactivity disorder:

  

Homoeopathy is a highly composite and efficient system of medicine. The system aims at bringing about holistic cure. Homoeopathic medicines bring to equilibrium, the chaotic and deranged vital force of the patient, and thus, cause cure. Innumerable homoeopathic medicines have shown beneficial results in the management of ADHD. Homoeopathic remedies have a favorable influence on the brain and the nervous system. The remedies act as nerve tonics, especially, in cases where the individual has difficulty in keeping the mind fixed on one particular thing, is restless and wakeful, extremely sensitive to noise, and cannot keep still. The drugs soothe the nervous system and have a strengthening and beneficial effect.

Importantly, homoeopathic remedies are extracted from nature – flowers, fruits, animal extracts and products, and minerals, and are completely devoid of any unfavorable side effects. Homoeopathy, coupled with meditation, dietary corrections, aromatherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, counseling, and adequate family affection and support, will bring about extensive improvement in individuals suffering from ADHD. It is very important to bear in mind, that all disorders and medical conditions are treated well by a multi-disciplinary approach, and not one particular therapy in isolation.

 Homoeopathy management, requires the physician to take a detailed account of the symptoms before prescribing the optimum and most suited drug. Here are 2 drugs that have proved to be highly efficacious in the treatment of ADHD.

  

Passiflora

 • Passiflora has a strengthening and calming effect on the nervous system.

• It successfully treats insomnia or disturbed sleep patterns, associated with ADHD, and produces normal, restful sleep.

• It checks restlessness and wakefulness.

• The drug is especially beneficial in children and the aged.

 Argentum Nitricum

 • This is a wonderful remedy to treat and handle impulsiveness in those suffering from ADHD. The patient demonstrates an impulse to jump out of the window, to jump in to the water.

• There is extreme nervousness and restlessness, which is managed exceedingly well by Argentum Nitricum.

• The patient has irrational motives for his actions.

• Characteristically, he does everything in a rush and hurry.

• There is forgetfulness and the patient’s memory is very weak.

Temper Tantrums in Children: Parental Guide to Managing Tantrums

In a study conducted in Department of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, New Delhi, Temper Tantrums are common in children between the age of 3-12 years, with a mean age of 4.7 years. The general prevalence of temper tantrums is more frequent in younger children and tends to reduce in prevalence as the age advances. The study also pointed towards the fact that temper tantrums were more frequently observed in boys compared to girls. Also a direct relationship was observed between post natal trauma and childhood seizures with temper tantrums in children. Here are some simple tips to handle temper tantrums in children

Temper Tantrum in Children: Causes of Temper Tantrums

The manifestation of temper tantrums can range from whining to crying and can comprise of other features like hitting, breath holding, kicking and screaming. The fact of occurrence of temper tantrums is attributed to variation in the temperament of the kids. Unlike adults, kids don’t have any inhibitions and hence can’t control a burst of emotion.

Some of the common causes associated with temper tantrum in children include,

• Temper tantrums are common in children who desire to seek the attention of their parents


• Hunger, tiredness and uncomfortable situations can also trigger temper tantrums


• Frustration can also result in temper tantrums


• Not getting something they desire can also result in an episode of temper tantrum

Managing Temper Tantrums: Parents Role in Managing Temper Tantrums in Children

Through a temper tantrum, your child conveys to you his feelings of annoyance, disturbance, anger or frustration.

Temper tantrums usually come on when the child is hungry, sleepy, exhausted, in a stressful environment, bored, or ill, and it is imperative that you try to help him cope with these situations effectively.

Temper Tantrums are common in

Younger Children

It is important to bear in mind that tantrums are just as stressful and taxing for your child, as they are for you.

Parents ought to read and study about the various issues and aspects related to children, and learn how to tackle each one. But, don't feel, that you are a dreadful parent if you do not have a solution to every situation that arises. Remember, that parenting is a life-long journey of learning and understanding your child.

Parent's Guide to Managing Temper Tantrums: Temper Tantrum Management in Children

Here are some simple guideline tips that can help parents manage temper tantrums in children,

• The foremost guideline, while dealing with a temper tantrum, is that you stay absolutely calm. If you fly in to a rage, it shows your child that you are out of control. This will only aggravate the situation.


• As a caring parent, it is your responsibility to ascertain and understand the different triggers of irritability and grumpiness in your child. Jot down whatever you observe. This will enable you to find a solution, to avert a tantrum before it escalates or even starts.


• Praising and rewarding your child when he demonstrates good behavior is essential. Only giving him attention for his bad behavior will cause him to throw more tantrums in the future, since, he feels that peevishness is the only way of getting attention from you.








Feeling Comforted is

important to manage

Temper Tantrums



• Get your child involved in lots of hobbies and activities. This will keep him busy and prevent boredom from setting in (a significant cause for tantrums).


• Let your child know when the play-time is going to end, by telling him, “We are leaving the playground in 15 minutes.” This ensures that there is no surprise or annoyance, when you tell your child that play-time is over.


• Make sure that you know your child’s eating cycle. Hunger is a huge trigger, and feeding him at optimum time intervals will stave off an emotional outburst.Also involve him in the planning his/her own diet. This helps inclucate good eating habits in children


• Parents must devise different means of distracting the child, when he starts demanding unreasonable things.


• If the temper tantrum causes a safety issue, like, the child runs out on to the street in a fit of rage, immediately put him in ‘time-out’ or sit him down, and calmly and patiently tell him of the dangers of his actions.


• Never give-in to all your child's demands. This makes him believe that tantrums are the best way to get what he wants. A little bit of indulgence, every now and then is justifiable.


• Train your child, about the right way to get what he wants, without throwing a fit. Tell him, - “Ask me to please give you the toy off the shelf, and I shall get it for you”.


• Teach your child that annoyance / rage / anger are feelings that all people have, but one must learn to control them.

Every parent ought to know that tantrums are a normal and integral part of the growing-up phase of the child, and they can not be completely avoided. Nevertheless, with a little bit of effort and thought, you can greatly curtail them, so that you and your child can lead a happy and stress-free life.