By taking charge of your kid’s heart and developing healthy habits, you can help them have healthy adulthood and life. However, this is easier said than done, especially for kids with heart conditions. Thankfully, you can get the best treatment and counseling at the Rainbow Children’s Heart Institute in Hyderabad.
It is a known fact that when a child sees his mother, father, and other family members eating well and exercising, they are more likely to have a similar lifestyle. So, if you are eating french fries, you can’t tell your child to eat fruits and vegetables. Similarly, if you have your eyes glued to your smartphone or TV, your child will be following your behavior. You need to set an example for your child. And the best way to do this is by consulting the best child heart specialist in Hyderabad and prioritizing healthy living for the whole family.
In this article, we will be discussing a few tips to help you raise a heart-healthy child:
- Stay Active
As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that your child gets at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. You can exercise as a family where you take a walk, ride bikes, play games, or go swimming together. Start with finding out the activities and sports your child is interested in and encouraging them to participate in it. It will not only be beneficial for their health but yours as well
- Be Positive
You need to make heart health fun. To do this you can add games into the family activities. You can also walk or ride to a park for a healthy lunch. For promoting the sense of self-esteem in your child, you can celebrate small successes.
- Limit time on TV and other screens
If your child spends an excessive amount of time on screen, they will develop a habit of constant snacking and a sedentary lifestyle. This can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity. You need to ensure that they don’t spend more than two hours on the screen every day. This includes video games, movies, and any other computer activity that is not school or work-related. Instead, you can give them some alternative ideas like reading or participating in physical activities outside of school. This limit of two hours should be applicable to all members of the family.
- Schedule regular checkups
If your child has a heart condition or is an athlete, it is important that you take him/her to a heart specialist for a physical evaluation. Regular checkups with the top child heart specialist in Hyderabad will help in identifying if your child is at risk of developing heart conditions.
- Provide healthy options
When your child comes back home from school or after playing, you can give him/her a healthy snack. The ingredients of the snack should include vegetables, whole grain, fruits, dried fruits, etc. You have to avoid fried food, sodas, candy, or any fast food. These foods are high in fat, sugar, and cholesterol and are the main culprit in causing a heart condition. However, you don’t have to completely devoid your child of them. These foods can become rare or special occasion food.
- Involve your child in dinner plans
If you involve your child in planning and cooking meals, they are more likely to make healthy food choices later. Also, you need to make dinner a plant-based diet that consists of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, seeds, and nuts. A plant-based diet is high in fiber and low in cholesterol and fat making it perfectly balanced for reducing heart disease risk. Also, if consumed in moderation, low-fat dairy will be good for your child as well.
- Do not smoke
If you smoke and your child gets exposed to second-hand smoke, they will be more likely to develop heart disease. You need to quit smoking for the benefit of your child’s health and yours. It is bound to have immediate heart benefits.
- Be Realistic
Sometimes, parents can get carried away. It is important for you to set realistic limits and goals. Even gradual changes and small steps can end up making a big difference to your child’s health. If you start big, your child might get overwhelmed and give up altogether. You need to start small and gradually build up.
If you help your child become heart-healthy at a young age, you are reducing the risk of them developing heart disease later. Also, they will be ready to make better choices in their life. So, book a session with the best child heart specialist in Hyderabad at the Rainbow Children’s Heart Institute and learn about how you can raise a heart-healthy kid.