Most new moms become interested in childhood nutrition from the very moment they learn that they are pregnant. The recommendation that many doctors give is to feed children as much organic food as possible. Some moms even make a choice to feed their children diets that are free of meat. There are classes that online nursing programs teach to nursing students and even new parents who are interested in childhood nutrition, but that knowledge has to be applied if it is going to be helpful. The truth is that is can be expensive to provide children with healthy meals every day, and even then, they may not respond as positively as you’d hope. Here are a few reasons that you should encourage your children to eat a balanced diet that doesn’t revolve around weight and fitness.

Excess Sugar Consumption in Children

As a parent, you will probably find that your number one battle involves limiting the amount of sugar your children consume. When you offer them a bottle of water, they’ll be asking for a can of soda instead. Not only do you have to be the one to say ‘no’ on a consistent basis, you also have to monitor what your kids eat while they are at school.

Sugar produces a kind of rush, especially when you eat a lot of it at once. While children certainly enjoy the flavor of sugar laden foods, they can also become addicted and start experiencing mood swings and withdrawal symptoms if their intake isn’t monitored.

Feeding Your Child Too Much Salt and Saturated Fat

There are also children who develop a taste for heavy, fatty, deep fried foods early in life. Sodium intake can become a problem in early childhood if kids are not taught about the five main food groups. Most doctor of nurse practitioner programs cover how high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels are rising among adolescent patients. Imagine how sad you would be if you found that your child needed to start taking medication to manage his or her high blood pressure as a result of a poor diet. Remember that a child doesn’t have to be visibly obese to be at risk for these kinds of ailments. Kids try very hard to fit in, and being given a poor health prognosis could lead to depressive behaviors.

Putting Extreme Dietary Restrictions on Your Children

While some parents are a little too relaxed in what they allow their children to eat there are kids who have their diets micromanaged down to the teaspoon. Feeding your child nothing but organic foods, banning artificial sugars in your home, and never allowing your child to eat fried foods can certainly lead to better overall health. At the same time, your child may not be happy about having fewer options when it is time to go out to a restaurant or when they want to stay over a friend’s house. This behavior might actually encourage your child to sneak unhealthy foods in excess whenever you are out of sight.

Feed your children fresh fruits and vegetables and try to prepare meals in the healthiest ways possible. You should also talk to your children about how to measure portions properly, but you don’t ever want them to feel like they don’t also have some control over their own diets. Find out what your kids really like to eat and then see if you can all compromise on the way that meals are dished out at home.