Put your kids on the path to good nutrition
For many parents , nothing is as stressful as getting your kids to eat all the food on their plate , especially when it comes to veggies . Eating a variety of healthy foods is essential for your children ’ s wellbeing .
Introduce new foods
For infants , offer new foods every few days to notice their initial reaction or if they experience some health complications such as allergies . When he or she is one year old , your child would have already been exposed to a varied diet of fruit , vegetables , grains and proteins . Toddlers will start to eat on their own , so it is important for the parent to have a set meal time to monitor and introduce new foods at the same time .
Control consumption of sugar and salt
Feeding babies , toddlers and young children food that contains high levels of sugar , salt and fat may lead to serious health and weight issues later in life . Researchers have found that children consuming three times the amount of sugar , can get heart disease , type 2 diabetes and some cancers .
Eat more fruit and vegetables
Vitamins , minerals and fibre are just some of the benefits that fruit can offer to increase your child ’ s longevity . Consuming a moderate amount of fresh produce has a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as stroke , diabetes and different types of cancer .
Encourage your kids to play with their food
Yes , food play can aid your child ’ s perception of the health benefits of produce . Fruits like bananas , peaches or apples ( that can easily be cut ) can be used to decorate a bowl of oatmeal .
Be your child ’ s role model
You need to set a good example for your kids when it comes to diet and nutrition . Make a point of eating healthy food whenever your children are around and encourage them to eat the same .
Cook together
Children often love accompanying their parents during grocery shopping , picking what goes in their lunch box and helping with dinner . Use this eager participation and curiosity to teach them about the nutritious delights in your kitchen . Allow them to prepare easy dishes by having them adorn food with condiments , fruits and veggies to make them feel like a chef . Preparing a meal will evoke kids to sit down at a family dinner because they feel a sense of pride in the meal they created .
B-Living Page 9 Issue 1 , 2017 Bonitas Member Magazine 2016 Page Issue 10 4