Eating well and getting advice

Just like adults, it's very important for children to eat well and be active. Help your children to enjoy healthy living and they're more likely to do the same as adults. That will help them to maintain a healthy weight and avoid health problems in the future.

Unfortunately New Zealanders now eat more fast food than ever before, and getting active often takes second-place to sitting in front of the television or computer.

Try and manage these choices. Of course, it may take effort, especially if you're busy or your children are fussy eaters. But with smart planning, it's surprising how fast a whānau can embrace healthy living. And it's a lot of fun.

Helpful tips

• Write a shopping list with healthy and cost-effective foods — and stick to it
• Load up your plate with veges.  Try to make at least half your plate veges
• Help kids snack the healthy way by having a variety of healthy snacks available, for example carrot or celery sticks, fruit pieces, plain popcorn, cereal and milk, or a glass of plain milk
• Help your kids learn about food by involving them in preparing meals, setting the table, and clearing up
• Try to schedule at least one meal a week together, perhaps including grandparents or older children who have left home — kids are more likely to eat healthier foods when sharing a home-cooked meal with whānau plus you get to spend time together talking and sharing stories
• Be a good role model in healthy eating and living
• Encourage activity with the kinds of toys and sports gear you give your children
• Applaud them for gaining skills such as catching a ball, or doing well in sport, or simply getting out and about
• Remember that activity does not need to be competitive to be positive — keep it fun and don't push your children into too much, too soon
• Limit the time kids spend watching television and playing computer games