Healthy Eating for Children
Parents must schedule family meals regularly at a specific time. This will help children learn to have complete meals, rather than having quick mini-snacks. As it is observed from the above nutrition guide that vegetables, fruits, grains and milk contain nearly all the required nutrients, they must be included in meals regularly.
Parents should make a variety of healthy options available for children to choose from. They should also encourage children to try new foodstuffs. Do not provide sweets, candy, popcorn and chips during meals. Also, aerated or sweet drinks must be completely avoided, during meal times.
It is a universal complaint that children do not opt for vegetables and fruits. Parents must make vegetable dishes look attractive and tempting. They can include more vegetables in sandwiches or even make vegetable soups. Children should be encouraged to eat whole fruits, instead of fruit juices. Meat dishes should also be prepared on alternate days. Parents can also opt for low-fat food alternatives.
Parents must set a good example before their children, by themselves opting for healthy meals. Children usually imitate their parents. If parents try different foodstuffs, children will be eager to follow. Parents can involve children in planning and preparation of meals. Children can give ideas about the daily menu. Children can also be involved in buying foodstuffs for meals or their lunch boxes. This will make them feel concerned and connected.
The most important thing that parents should keep in mind, is not to force their children to eat. Forcing anything will make children dislike the food altogether. Instead, help them realize the nutritional value of specific foodstuffs. Parents should let children decide when they are full, and not force them to eat. Also, parents must not completely deprive children of sweets and junk food. This will only make them crave for more. Just cut down the amounts gradually, and make it 'once-in-a-while' dish. Healthy foods like salads, soups should be chosen in restaurants. Parents must try to avoid processed and junk food.
Make meal time, a tension-free and conflict-free zone! Children will definitely look forward to healthy meals and that will ease your worries.
Parents must schedule family meals regularly at a specific time. This will help children learn to have complete meals, rather than having quick mini-snacks. As it is observed from the above nutrition guide that vegetables, fruits, grains and milk contain nearly all the required nutrients, they must be included in meals regularly. Parents should make a variety of healthy options available for children to choose from. They should also encourage children to try new foodstuffs. Do not provide sweets, candy, popcorn and chips during meals. Also, aerated or sweet drinks must be completely avoided, during meal times.
It is a universal complaint that children do not opt for vegetables and fruits. Parents must make vegetable dishes look attractive and tempting. They can include more vegetables in sandwiches or even make vegetable soups. Children should be encouraged to eat whole fruits, instead of fruit juices. Meat dishes should also be prepared on alternate days. Parents can also opt for low-fat food alternatives.
Parents must set a good example before their children, by themselves opting for healthy meals. Children usually imitate their parents. If parents try different foodstuffs, children will be eager to follow. Parents can involve children in planning and preparation of meals. Children can give ideas about the daily menu. Children can also be involved in buying foodstuffs for meals or their lunch boxes. This will make them feel concerned and connected.
The most important thing that parents should keep in mind, is not to force their children to eat. Forcing anything will make children dislike the food altogether. Instead, help them realize the nutritional value of specific foodstuffs. Parents should let children decide when they are full, and not force them to eat. Also, parents must not completely deprive children of sweets and junk food. This will only make them crave for more. Just cut down the amounts gradually, and make it 'once-in-a-while' dish. Healthy foods like salads, soups should be chosen in restaurants. Parents must try to avoid processed and junk food.
Make meal time, a tension-free and conflict-free zone! Children will definitely look forward to healthy meals and that will ease your worries.
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