希望子女健康饮食的母亲应以身作则

译者 面包牛奶

Mothers who binge on junk food are closely watched by their children who go on to adopt unhealthy eating habits of their own, according to a study.

据研究表明，热衷于垃圾食品的母亲，其子女密切关注着她们并会养成不健康的饮食习惯。

Those who eat a healthy diet at home set the best example for children who subconsciously monitor every mouthful, according to researchers at Michigan State University.

密歇根州立大学的研究者称，在家中健康饮食的母亲为下意识中关注其每一口食物的子女树立了最好的榜样。

The scientists studied the eating habits of low-income families.

科学家研究了低收入家庭的饮食习惯。

Taking the lead: Mothers who eat a healthy diet at home set the best example for children who monitor every mouthful, according to researchers

引导作用：研究者称，在家中健康饮食的母亲为关注其每一口食物的子女树立了最好的榜样。

They found that mothers who want their children to eat well should adopt healthy eating habits themselves and encourage their children to eat decent foods.

他们发现那些希望子女饮食健康的母亲应该养成健康的饮食习惯并鼓励孩子吃正常的食物。

Those that use force, rewards or punishments in a bid to encourage their children to eat vegetables were far less successful.

那些为了鼓励孩子吃蔬菜而采取强制，进行鼓励或惩罚的方法收效甚微。

Lead researcher and nutrition expert Professor Sharon Hoerr said: 'Mothers should stop forcing or restricting their kids' eating.

首席研究员、营养学家莎朗霍尔教授说：“母亲应该停止强迫或限制孩子的饮食。”

'They'd be better off providing a healthy food environment, adopting balanced eating habits themselves and covertly controlling their children's diet quality by not bringing less healthy foods into the house.'

“她们最好是提供一个健康饮食的环境，养成均衡的饮食习惯并且不买不健康的食物来悄悄地控制孩子的饮食质量。”

Overtly restricting certain foods from a child when others are eating them at meal times can lead to unhealthy eating, she added.

她补充道，吃饭时，当别人在吃而过度限制孩子吃某种事物也会导致不健康的饮食。

Additional parental tips include maintaining regular meal and snack times, offering smaller portions of healthy foods and allowing the children to decide how much they will eat.

另外家长的注意点包括保持规律的吃饭和零食时间，提供较少分量的健康食品，让孩子自己决定吃多少。

'With picky eaters, it's best to coax and encourage them to eat rather than yell at them'

“对于挑食的孩子，最好是哄或鼓励他们吃而不是朝他们大吼。”

Children who would rather play with their food or consume only junk food should be gently coaxed and not shouted at.

应该对宁愿玩耍食物或只是吃垃圾食品的孩子轻声劝哄而不是责骂。

Professor Hoerr said: 'With picky eaters, it's best to coax and encourage them to eat rather than yell at them.

霍尔教授说：“对于挑食的孩子，最好是劝哄或鼓励他们吃而不是责骂他们。”

'Other ways to get them interested in having a balanced diet is to take them to the grocery store or garden, and help them select new foods to taste as well as allow them to help cook at home.'

另外的让孩子对均衡饮食产生兴趣的办法是带他们去杂货店或花园，帮助他们挑选新鲜的食物来品尝或让他们在家一起煮食物。

The study appears in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

这项研究刊登在美国临床营养学杂志上。