Before you bite into that!

In the January 17, 2013 article in the Idaho Statesman there was a commentary with the compelling title “Food: the new Cigarette.” The heart of the article was about obesity and seminars on promoting healthy living. It reiterates how a parent has to be so careful when it comes to feeding his/her family. Not only does the cost and nutritional factors play vital roles, there is the concern that the food is healthy .Naturally with all change, your family may be resistant. However, there are ways you can persuade your family and yourself to take up healthy eating habits.
• Is it really that convenient?: For instance, you find that your family has become dependent on the convenience of fast food. The allure of fast food is it is a time saver and it’s inexpensive. However, the real price is the nutritional value of the food itself. You may push this concern out of your mind since life can get quite busy. This is the perfect opportunity to think of the big picture. If the only reason you’re supplementing fast food for dinners is because there is no time to cook, take a look at your schedule and find ways to carve out some time for healthy, easy recipes or preparing wholesome meals beforehand.
• Focus on what they can eat, rather than what they can’t eat: it’s human nature to resist change. Also , the commercials for snack foods don’t help—they tend to show people really enjoying the sweet or salty treats emotionally rather than just satisfying their hunger. However, on the road to better eating habits, be sure to introduce the healthy alternatives. For instance, instead of snacking on potato chips, keep appetizing vegetables or fruit on hand.
With the health issues such as diabetes or celiac disease on the rise, it can be very scary. However, knowing that there are better food selections out there is a comfort--you and your family just have to make a conscious effort to choose them.