So many children in Britain have an unhealthy diet without realising it. Whether this is because of a lack of understanding about the subject or a fondness for sugar, an unhealthy diet can be very consequential for a household.
This could mean health problems for your child, financial problems from satisfying the need for fast food, and even behavioural problems.
What Makes An Unhealthy Diet?
Many things make up an unhealthy diet. This could range from not having enough nutritious food to having too much of certain unhealthy things, such as sugar.
Sugar consumption is something we can’t stop but can limit. Not a lot of people realise that the guidelines for sugar aren’t just suggestions. They are the key to a healthier diet which can reduce many health problems, including:
- Early diabetes
- Obesity
- Deficiencies
- Behavioural problems
- Dental issues
These problems arise in adults if they constantly indulge in an unhealthy diet, but in children it’s worse because it impacts their growing process. From mood swings to rebelliousness, a child may experience behavioural and physical problems from unhealthy eating.
However, an unhealthy diet does not just involve consuming a high amount of sugar, fat, or calories. Not getting enough of these things is also unhealthy, as your body needs a small amount to be healthy. So, it is important to not have too much, nor too little.
A child who has a sugar deficiency will tend to get more tired easily. A low-calorie intake can lead to an underweight child which could affect their bone growth.
Your child’s health is important, so try your best to give them a healthier diet to ensure a happy and fruitful future!
What Behavioural Problems Can It Cause?
The behavioural problems that can come from an unhealthy diet differs per child.
You may find that children who have a sugar addiction may choose to lash out, both verbally and physically. Trying to change a child’s diet to a healthier one too quickly may result in the child having an emotional outburst and refusing to eat.
Too much sugar and calories can promote a poor sleeping habit. Sugar and calories provide our bodies with energy – too much of either means there’s too much energy to efficiently burn off. A child with boundless energy may not wish to sleep, resulting in them refusing and lashing out.
There is also the concern that unhealthy food can affect their body. From either stomach ulcers or rotting teeth, your child may become uncomfortable, making them emotional and aggressive.
When your child’s health is compromised, make sure you contact a doctor as soon as possible.
You should try to take a child’s complaints when eating seriously and try to assist them. Some parents may ignore these complaints believing it is a cry for attention or a way to get out of eating, but in some cases it is genuine.
How Do I Make My Child Have A Healthy Diet?
There is no ‘make’ in giving a child a healthy diet. Simply, start slowly from the bottom of the ladder and work your way up. Don’t throw vegetables, and healthier food onto their plate. Slowly introduce them to the meal.
You can also try and substitute anything sugar-related with sugar-free options or foods with less sugar.
In a way, this works as a sort of trick, where your child may not realise that the chocolate or sweets they are indulging in have little to no sugar at all.
For a child who doesn’t eat much, try to introduce more filling food to their plate without overloading it. Alternatively, a child can have smaller meals and snacks throughout the day. But keep in mind that going overboard with snacks could lead your child into the “too much” side of unhealthy eating.
So, simply:
1 – Slowly introduce vegetables and food to the plate
2 – Switch out for less sugary foods
Conclusion
Hopefully this article has helped give you information and advice about unhealthy diets in children, and the behaviours that may accompany it.
It may not be a simple solution, but if you try and follow our advice then your child should begin to have a healthy diet. You could also keep an eye on their nutritional intake via the information on the back of products to adjust things more accurately.
We at Veginom want to help you and your children’s health in any way we can! Promoting a healthy lifestyle is our goal for the future of today’s children. If you need any further assistance, then feel free to contact us here.