LowproteinLIVING

First Published on our US site: http://www.myspecialdiet.com.

Bibina Varughese (RD, Nutritionist from the US) explains why earlyarly education for young children improves their health and promotes development and learning.

Early education for young children improves their health and promotes development and learning. Children learn by example, so parents and carers should be a role model by practicing good nutrition. Your child who has to follow a restrictive diet will learn from your eating and exercise habits. Teaching them good nutrition at an early stage in life may go along way.

Begin teaching your toddler about his or her diet as early as possible. As most parents of young toddler, first word the toddler knows how to use appropriately (in my opinion) is the word NO. Explain to your toddler foods he or she is allowed. Use words that they understand. Words like Boo-Boo or just for you or made special for you. Use positive, encouraging words. Try not to use negative words. Instill enthusiasm as new foods are introduced.

Teach them to question things before trying something they have never eaten before. Encourage your child to ask and answer questions at his or her next clinic visit.

As they grow older, continue the enthusiasm for new foods. Involve your school age child in meal planning. Afterwards, include them in food shopping and meal preparation. Do not pass up the opportunity to teach your child at the super market. Discuss which foods are healthy and why. Allow your child in selecting new fruits and vegetables. Discuss label reading; ask how much protein is in one serving? Is that allowed on the diet? Teach them words they should be looking for on the labels. For example, sodium caseinate, which is not allowed on the Galactose restricted diet.

Continue reinforcing their diet as they grow into adolescence. This stage in a childs life is a very tough age for both parents and the child. Adhering to the dietary restriction become difficult when hanging out with friends. Teach your child to educate their friends about your childs dietary restrictions. For protein restricted diet one of the easier ways to explain the diet is simply telling them that you are a vegetarian; for the galactose restricted diet, tell them you cannot tolerate the dairy item.

Once your child knows his or her diet, he or she becomes a better educator, for him or herself and for others. As parents, we can teach our children right from wrong, and values that matter. Teach your child good nutrition from the beginning and watch it grow.