Feeding children can be a rather tedious and frustrating activity.
Although you may want to avoid fights and tantrums with your children,
it is your duty to provide a health and balanced meal at the same time.
Here are then suggestions that will help you avoid the usual problems of
feeding small children, and help you instill in them the value of
healthy eating.
Your preschooler insists on eating fried chicken every day, whilst
your toddler would rather play than eat. These are common problems that
parents face when feeding their children. Nutrition is an unbearable but
crucial topic parents need to face on a daily basis. This is especially
true among those who are raising small children who have developed
finicky eating habits. Before you follow the guidelines we have provided
below, you should bear in mind that children’s food preferences are
premature. This means that you will need to carefully map out their
meals and make sure it meets the basic dietary needs and their personal
preferences too.
1. Always respect your child’s appetite- or the lack thereof Never
force a child to eat even when he’s genuinely not hungry. They will eat
when they feel sudden hunger. In addition, do not try to bribe your
child to eat food items that he doesn’t want to consume. Also, never ask
a child to clean his plate even when he obviously looks full. These
measured will only ignite a power struggle over food.
Furthermore, children may create a perception that mealtime is
associated with negative feelings such as anxiety and frustration.
Forcing them to eat when they aren’t hungry also makes them less
sensitive to all-natural hunger cues.
Ideally, serve small portions of food so they don’t feel overwhelmed
during mealtime. It’s best to let them ask for more food than simply
serve them more portions after finishing the food on their plates.
2. Adhere to usual eating routines and habits It is recommended to
serve major meals and snacks at the same time every day. You should
include milk or fruit juices with the food. Do not forget to give them
water in between meals and snacks so they don’t feel the urge to binge
eat.
3. Be patients when asking them to try out new food items It is
natural for kids to be finicky eaters. When trying out new food, make
sure to give them small portions of it so they can assess for
themselves. Most children will give in and taste small portions of the
new food, and take them back out again. This is a normal occurrence so
be patient while they are learning to appreciate the new food you serve
them. Children usually need repeated exposure to new food before they
can appreciate it.
You can encourage your child to eat new food by describing the color,
texture, and smell rather than summarize its taste. It is best to serve
new food items with their favorite as this makes it easier for kids to
accept as part of their meals.
4. Make eating a fun activity Serve food items such as fruits and
veggies in fun and colorful ways. They will only appreciate the food if
they find it interesting. Make use of cookie cutters to cut veggies, as
this makes it less of a chore for them to eat.
5.Ask for your child’s help Recruiting your child to help out in
picking out the fruits and veggies to eat is an excellent way of
encouraging to eat the same food items during meals. Never buy anything
that you don’t want your kids to eat. In addition, it is also
recommended that you ask them to help around the kitchen, as this gives
them a higher sense of appreciation for the foods that you want for them
to consume.
6.Be a role modelShoe your children that you eat a wide selection of
foods as well. They look up to you, and whatever you do or eat will be
their benchmark or standard too.
7.Be more creativeFruits and vegetables can be very boring for many
children. If you find it hard to feed them these food items, be a little
more creative with the presentation and preparation of meals.
For instance, make sure to find new creative ideas to present new
food items or foods that they wouldn’t eat when presented as is. Instead
of serving veggies steamed, why not add it to pasta sauce to make it
more palatable.
8.Reduce distractions when eating Make sure that your child is solely
focused on eating during meals. Turn off electronic gadgets and the
television as a means to minimize distraction. They will appreciate food
more as their attention is solely concentrated on the food they’re
eating. In addition, television ads are negative influencers in that
most of the products advertised are food items that contain high levels
of sugars and trans fats.
9. Never identify desserts as rewards Restricting your child to eat
desserts is not a good idea. This measure will only increase your kid’s
desire to eat more sweet and unhealthy food items. Make sure to allot at
least two nights in a week where you serve the kids dessert. Never skip
dessert, or better yet serve healthier dessert alternatives such as
yogurt and fresh fruits.
10.Do not be a short-order cook Picky eating is the result of
separating your meal to that of your children’s. Encourage your kids to
stay at the table during the schedule mealtimes even when they don’t
feel like eating. Let them eat what adults are eating. They will soon
become familiar with the taste and they will soon prefer eating them
too.
Picky eating should be a major concern for parents. Nutrition is an
integral part of a child’s growth and development. If you feel that
picky eating is affecting your children negatively, do not hesitate to
ask the expertise of your doctor. Experts suggest that keeping a food
log will help you in assessing whether your children are getting the
right amount of food and the right set of nutrients for healthy growth
and development.
Lastly, you must remember that you kids’ eating habits won’t change
overnight. Take small steps to influence your child to eat right, and he
will develop the habit if healthy, clean eating until he grows up.
source : http://www.wellnessbin.com
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