Helping children have healthier meals

Published: 04 Nov 2022 Tagged: awarenessConfidence Wheeldieteating habitsGood Nutrition MonthhealthnutritionOK-nessSpeakable

November is the Good Nutrition Month, so it’s a good opportunity to talk about how you can ensure healthy eating habits to your children. You need a few strategies under your sleeve whether you're a stressed-out parent, a preschool teacher, or a childcare provider to encourage kids to eat well. Yes, it can be challenging to eat healthy because of the busy schedules of families and the accessibility of grab-and-go convenience foods. But with our tips below, you can include these ideas into your hectic routine:

• Provide options. Nobody like being made to do anything, especially boisterous toddlers or older children who are trying to become independent. This idea also applies to the kitchen table. Even while it may not seem like much, giving kids the option between apple slices and celery with peanut butter provides them the independence they need while yet allowing you to maintain control over nutrition.
• Let them make their own plates. Another strategy to encourage independence in your kids and pique their interest in tasting new meals is to let them manage their own plate. If given the freedom to pick, most youngsters will be more eager to include nutritious items on their plates—though it could take a few tries.
• Introduce gateway foods. Naturally wary of unfamiliar things, children also tend to be wary of many nutritious meals. So what is the answer? Combine novel meals with nutritious choices that your youngster already enjoys. A kid learns what, when, and how much to eat throughout the first five years of life depending on their family, cultural customs, and attitudes.
• Smarter snacking. Snacks are a need for both children and adults, but it's critical to limit your intake. Children's snack portions should always be small. Additionally, you should attempt to avoid giving them snacks too soon before supper in order to preserve their appetite for the meal.
• Give children a glimpse into the production of food. If children are already interested in and introduced to nutritious food, they are more inclined to give it a try. Giving children the chance to visit a farm or a local farmer's market will pique their interest in foods like vegetables, grains, fruit, and dairy since they are inherently interested. Let children explore and locate all the varied forms and colours veggies and fruits grow in and decide which ones appear best to them.
• While cooking, involve the kids. If they helped prepare the food, children are more inclined to taste it. Measurement of ingredients, bowl stirring, and salad tossing are all excellent places to start. They will learn how whole dishes and complete meals come together as they carry out these straightforward chores, giving them a head start on making their own wholesome meals as they become older.
• Avoid pushing it. As we've already discussed, supporting choice is essential to promoting a healthy diet. It's doubtful that kids will enjoy every cuisine, even though introducing children to various foods and cooking techniques might help produce adventurous eaters. In reality, despite your best efforts, you could be dealing with a finicky eater.
• Set a good example. Children's environments, which include culture, the media, and their families, have a significant impact on them. Influence from parents is particularly significant. Healthy or disordered eating might result from parents' attitudes and behaviours towards food.

By using one or more of these strategies, you’ll increase the chance of ensuring a healthier and healthier eating routine for your children. Also, read other articles we already made to inspire you about which meals and foods are healthier for your children:

• November is Good Nutrition Month
• Lunchbox Tips for the Good Nutrition Month
• Nutrition as a factor for optimal learning