Parenting - Eating Habits

Do and don't tips on getting your tots to eat well

Today what children eat and how they learn, act and think is highly related. Their thinking brain is an engine that needs the right fuel to make it run. Thus, the better you feed the brain, the better it works.

DO

Offer your child one or two healthy snacks
In addition to their three main meals, give them nuts, yogurt or wholegrain crackers.

Make food appear attractive
Children always pink what they think looks good, so cry cutting or decorate vegetables of different shapes and colours into interesting patterns. You can also serve dishes on the crockery in citrus colours like orange as it will stimulates their appetite.

Involve your child in planning and preparing the meals
This is the opportunity to explain the nutritional value of each food. This way, they will feel motivated to choose a healthy food by themselves.

Be a role model
Your child usually will learn from you, so be conscious about your reaction to healthy foods. If you are choosy about food, eventually, they will be followed.

Read food nutrition labels
choose foods with low or no sugar and salt added foods. For example, offer your child a plain water instead of a soda drink, or healthy biscuit instead of fast foods.

DON'T

Don't Give up
Children usually will reject foods, such as vegetables. Tell then to try at least a bit, but don't expect them to finish the whole plate. An average about 8 times for a child to decide to eat what presented. Don't make food an emotional meals Persuade them slowly with patience and affection instead of forcing them to eat a particular food.

Don't leave the TV on during meals
Children will be consume more fried foods or junk foods as a result of advertisements for unhealthy foods suck as carbonated drinks and high sugar snacks.

Don't offer alternatives
Offer your child to eat the same dishes as you, thus, make them understand that they won't have any other foods option.

The best way to keep your child smart is to serve them nutritious brain-boosting foods.