ADHD, HYPERACTIVITY, AND JUST PLAIN NAUGHTINESS, ARE WORDS SO COMMONLY USED TO SUM UP THE CHILDREN OF TODAY. IF YOU FEEL YOU'RE CHILD'S BEHAVIOUR MESHES WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE AND YOU ARE AT A LOSS AS TO WHY? READ ON, AS KATE FILMER DISCUSSES HOW YOUR CHILD'S DIET CAN BE THE CAUSE AND YOUR CHILD'S DIET CAN BE THE CURE.

Have you ever heard the wise old saying, "You are what you eat"? As simple as it sounds, this saying sums up the way we should approach food and our eating habits. If you put lemon juice into your car, do you think it would run? Even if you put low quality fuel into your car, it may run, although its life span would definitely be shorter. So if you are to eat processed, flavor enhanced, chemical inclusive foods, do you think your body will appreciate it? There is a reason that childhood behavioral problems are more prevalent these days, our children's bodies are reacting to the unnatural manufactured products we have become comfortable calling food. Some children are more susceptible to bad behavior than others. However, it is not always the child who is to blame for their naughty actions. We are all physically different and some of us are very allergic to flavor enhancers and the preservatives put in food. An allergic reaction does not have to be a rash or sneezing, more commonly the effects will evoke irritability, sluggishness and or a headache. So what you need to be aware of and watching for in your child is a sharp mood change after eating. Our childhood years shape us as people, mentally and physically. Physically if your child grows up with an unhealthy diet, they will carry this into adulthood. Plus, mentally if a child has been branded as ‘naughty' or ‘bad', this will imprint on their internal belief system and because our life experience is a mirror of what we think about, these deep self beliefs will be a detriment to their existence. As a parent, you don't want that for your child now do you?

Step one - Be an example
Your children will more often than not form the eating habits that you hold. The only way they learn to do anything is via the example of the others around them. So firstly, what foods are you eating?

Step two -  Work with what works
If your child refuses to eat broccoli and sweet potato, however seems happy to eat a carrot, well start with that. If they are more fruit orientated, which many children are because of its natural sweetness, incorporate what works. If you as the parent become wise on the nutritional values in foods, you will make better choices and so will your child.

Step three - Enthusiasm and reward
Children respond well to positive enthusiasm and rewards. A reward can be a simple cheap sticker, tick or picture chart. When they achieve a certain amount, they can be rewarded with an outing, a new toy or their favourite fruit. Please refrain from giving your child unhealthy food as a reward, for this will only support their enthusiasm in poor food choices.

Step four - Give them an option, but don't give them the option to opt out
There is a difference between - ‘What would you like in your salad' and ‘if you don't eat your salad, a can of spaghetti will do.' If there are only healthy choices in your home, there can only be a healthy choice. The only reason they may enjoy an unhealthy option, is they are use to having the option or they find it taboo and intriguing. When you go shopping involve your child in healthy choices from here. Ask them to search for a new veggie or fruit to try and make sure went you get home you try it with them. Talk about the way it looks and the way you cook it, talk about the flavor and test if it tastes different when mixed with something else. Then next time you venture out to the supermarket, encourage your child to find another new food.

Step five - Make food time fun
Cooking is very creative and children love to create, so set out some healthy choices and get behind them making their own meals. Children love the mysteries and magic of the world, so expand on some scientific facts and make food exciting. As in, carrots make you see in the dark, rye bread and wheatbix make you run faster or bananas give you superman strength.

Throughout the course of changing their diet, remember, your child will not starve and they will not hate you. Children will always do what they want, so the trick is to get them to actually want to do something. Your child is very intelligent and if they know they can manipulate you, they will. However, be assured that children, more than anything else want to be happy, so if you are strong in your decisions, and determined for a healthy happy family they will learn to love it.

Kate Filmer is a 30yr young self help author and entrepreneur. She has owned multiple businesses and is the mother of two empowered young girls. Her methods in teaching others draw from her own life experience and from the blissful, clear connection she feels to The Energy That Is. Her passionate goal in life is to assist others to strive forward on their chosen path, with peace and enthusiasm. www.hiddenpath.com.au