You are the most important influence on your child. Consequently, there are many things you can do to help your children develop healthy eating habits for life.
One key is offering a variety of foods, which helps children get the nutrients they need from every food group. They will also be more likely to try new foods and to like more foods – and, as a happy byproduct, when children develop a taste for many types of foods, the planning of family meals becomes that much easier.
Here are other tips you can use to help the children in your life develop healthy eating habits.
Eat vegetables, fruits and whole grains with meals or as snacks. Let your child see that you like to munch on raw vegetables.
9. Go to the grocery as a family
Grocery shopping can teach your child about food and nutrition. Discuss where vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy and protein foods come from. Let your children make healthy choices.
8. Get creative in the kitchen
Cut food into fun and easy shapes with cookie cutters. Name a food your child helps make. Serve “Janie’s Salad” or “Jackie’s Sweet Potatoes” for dinner. Encourage your child to invent new snacks. Make your own trail mixes from dry whole-grain, low-sugar cereal and dried fruit.
7. Offer the same foods for everyone
Stop being a “short-order cook” by making different dishes to please children. It’s easier to plan family meals when everyone eats the same foods.
6. Reward with attention, not food
Show your love with hugs and kisses. Comfort with hugs and talks. Choose not to offer sweets as rewards. It lets your child think sweets or dessert foods are better than other foods. When meals are not eaten, kids do not need “extras” – such as candy or cookies – as replacement foods.
5. Focus on each other at the table
Talk about fun and happy things at mealtime. Turn off the television. Take phone calls later. Try to make eating meals a stress-free time.
4. Listen to your child
If your child says he or she is hungry, offer a small, healthy snack – even if it is not a scheduled time to eat. Offer choices. Ask, “Which would you prefer for dinner: broccoli or cauliflower?” instead of, “Do you want broccoli for dinner?”
3. Limit screen time
Allow no more than two hours a day of screen time like TV and computer games. Get up and move during commercials to get some physical activity.
2. Encourage physical activity
Make physical activity fun for the whole family. Involve your children in the planning. Walk, run and play with your child – instead of sitting on the sidelines. Set an example by being physically active and using safety gear, like bike helmets.
1. Be a good food role model
Try new foods yourself. Describe their taste, texture and smell. Offer one new food at a time. Serve something your child likes along with the new food. Offer new foods at the beginning of a meal, when your child is very hungry. Avoid lecturing or forcing your child to eat.