Be a Healthy Role Model for Your Daughter
By CAROLYN O'NEIL, MS RD
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DON'T:
1. Criticize your daughter's body
Compliment her positive attributes and teach by example. Research suggests that girls whose mothers criticize their eating habits or weight may develop lasting problems with body image and self esteem.
2. Be self-critical
Studies have found a mother’s concern about her own weight, dieting practices and overeating are transmitted to her daughter. Mothers may unknowingly pass on poor body image and weight worries to their daughters.
3. Let sugary beverages dominate
Soft drinks and sugary fruit drinks are the number one source of calories in a teen's diet. Plus, they're void of the vital nutrients your daughter needs. If you limit your intake, your daughter will likely do the same.
4. Talk about your dieting
Instead of talking about dieting around your daughter, educate her on foods that provide important nutrients she need for building strong bones and a healthy body.

Get great Diet & Fitness advice from Carolyn O'Neil and all of the AOL Coaches to help you live a healthier lifestyle.
5. Use pressure
Pressuring your daughter to eat certain foods will likely backfire. Research suggests that modeling the desired behavior is a more effective approach for encouraging healthy choices.
REMEMBER ...
Daughter see, daughter do ...