A GRANDPARENT'S GREATEST GIFT

• As my grandchild grows, I know it is most important to maintain a constant presence in his life. That is the greatest gift I can give him.

1. Encourage your grandchildren to think of food as fuel, not as food for pleasure, emotional comfort, or a reward.

2. Work together to find food options everyone enjoys. Working together to get healthy can benefit everyone and create stronger relationships.

3. Get your family in the kitchen to help prepare meals. Even little ones can help set the table or wash vegetables and fruits.

4. Teach your family to read labels.

5. Educate your family about the basic food groups and how they help your body with energy, vision, strength, and fighting illnesses. Check out my kids' website.

6. Be your grandchildren's role model. Eat healthy and exercise regularly and they will too. Always remember, a healthy family is a happier family.

7. Teach your family about the fats . . . the good and the bad.

8. Ask children when they feel full. Children don't actually recognize what satiety is until age 5. Make them conscious of how it feels to have eaten enough. It's not a good idea to have children clean their plates. That can encourage overeating.

9. Take walks together after dinner. This is another good time for conversation and bonding.

10. Limit time watching television and playing video games. Get everyone outside for some fun.

11. Ask your friends for suggestions. Everyone has a good tip! Check out my blog, too.

Quotes:

"When a child is born, so are grandmothers." --Judith Levy

"A child needs a grandparent, anybody's grandparent, to grow a little more securely into an unfamiliar world." --Charles and Ann Morse

"Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever." --Author Unknown