A family practice doctor treats all family members, beginning with your child. One of the most important functions of a family practice doctor is to keep your family healthy through preventive medicine, including dietary and lifestyle changes. The family practice doctors, pediatricians, and pediatric providers at Caring Hands Medical Clinics provide comprehensive medical services for children and adults. They have four convenient office locations in Monticello and Bude, MS.
Why Healthy Lifestyle Habits Are Important
It’s important to establish healthy lifestyle habits early, starting with your child. Children are still growing and developing, which means they need to consume a healthy diet to grow strong bones and a robust immune system. Your child also needs exercise to promote strength, balance, and coordination.
Your family practice doctor can provide nutritional guidelines for your child’s diet, beginning with how many calories your child should eat to grow healthy and strong. Consider these guidelines from healthychildren.org:
- If your child is 2-3 years old, 1000 calories is the right amount
- If your child is 4-8 years old, 1200-1400 calories is the right amount
- If you have a girl who is 9-13 years old, 1400-1600 calories is the right amount
- If you have a boy who is 9-13 years old, 1600-2000 calories is the right amount
- If you have a girl who is 14-18, 1800 calories is the right amount
- If you have a boy who is 14-18, 2000-2400 calories is the right amount
The right number of calories is important to prevent obesity or being underweight. The type of calories is equally important. “Empty calories,” like snacks and sodas, provide little to no nutritional value. Your child’s diet should consist of:
- Lean proteins, including fish, chicken and turkey
- Fruits, including whole fruits and not fruit juices
- Vegetables, including plenty of green leafy vegetables
- Whole grains, including rice, quinoa, and whole wheat
- Dairy products, including milk, yogurt, and cheese
Along with a healthy diet, you should ensure your child stays active to build a healthy heart and strong muscles and bones. Your child should exercise at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. Exercise should be incorporated into your family’s schedule and lifestyle. You can do this by:
- Joining a gym facility and going as a family
- Trying out new sports as a family, like skiing or swimming
- Going on a hike or family activity together at least once each week
Want To Know More About Healthy Habits for Children?
Call the pediatricians and pediatric providers at Caring Hands Medical Clinics to discover how family practice can support healthy lifestyle changes. You can reach them in Bude, MS, by calling
(601) 384-1646, or in Monticello, MS, by calling
(601) 587-4304 or
(601) 393-1953, so call today.
