Nourish Interactive participates in Visa Health Fair - Reaching Out to Parents With Healthy Tips For Families

We participated in the Visa Health and Wellness Fair yesterday. I had a lot of fun talking with employees, who are also parents, about our tools and tips to help them bring nutrition to the home.

I was touched by many moms and even some dads! - who shared with me their stories about their children who are overweight. They did not want to make their kids feel embarrassed by pointing out their weight issue and weren't sure what they could do to help. I also met moms who had kids that were of normal weight but refused to eat vegetables or drink milk. Bottom line, were not eating a balanced meal from all the food groups so they were missing some important nutrients.

I think the key messages that I heard myself say over and over again:

• Don't try to change all your child's habit in one fail swoop. Focus on one healthy change at a time
• Set goals and work with your child to keep track. Put a tracking sheet on the fridge or the family bulletin board
• Don't single out your child. The family should work together to have healthy eating habits
• Keep it simple. And most importantly, keep it fun. If you start to nag and get mad, the child will associate nutrition with negative experiences. We want to create the opposite effect.
• Be patient. Habits take some time to break and new habits take some time to make.
• Celebrate little successes
• But all changes will add up to a healthier child!

I know it is a repeated message but when I talk with parents and hear their stories, I feel the importance of this message and I am reminded why I have started this website.

Resources for parents:

Kid friendly goals and tracking sheets

Parent Healthy Tips

Nutrition Topics

Nutrition Tools

Kids' nutrition learning games