Many children have a hard time eating, especially if it involves healthy food. Because we are not going to fool ourselves, ultra-processed products are a lot more visually appealing to children than natural foods. For many families this is a problem, because mealtimes become a battle with children and therefore a great concern.
That a child does not have a good diet can have very serious consequences on their development. Therefore, it is very important dedicate time and effort to improve children's nutrition. With small changes you can achieve great results, yes, you may have to get a good dose of patience. Whether you have children who eat well, or if you are one of those who suffer from those who eat poorly, these tips will be of great help.
Balanced, varied and healthy diet
Quantity is not quality as far as food is concerned, that is, that a child eats a lot does not mean that he is eating well. It happens very frequently and is very normal in children, when they like something a lot they eat in quantity. But they leave out other very necessary foods, which unbalances the diet of the little one. Therefore, the first step to improve children's nutrition is to ensure that their diet is balanced.
Now, to get children to eat everything, you may have to resort to a few tricks and put all your wits into the effort. With these tricks you can encourage your children to eat a variety and try foods from all the essential groups.
- Creativity in the kitchen: There's nothing like serve a fruit in an original way and funny. Maybe a cauliflower-based pizza is the trick to get them to eat vegetables.
- Family cooking: Children love to get into the kitchen, it is a very entertaining activity for the little ones. Teach them how to make healthy kabobs, savory veggie cakes, homemade fruit pancakes, and oatmeal, the healthy options are endless. Eat something that they have prepared themselves, will be the most powerful of the incentives.
Improve children's nutrition
Achieve that they eat everything is very important to improve their diet, but it is also essential to introduce other aspects in relation to food that are sometimes overlooked.
These 5 tips will help you to improve children's nutrition:
- Eat several meals a day: Distribute meals throughout the day is essential so that children's nutrition is adequate.
- Drink water: Essential not to forget hydration, not only in summer. Children tend to forget to drink water because they are not bothered by the feeling of being thirsty. Teach children to drink water regularly for the whole day.
- Eating slowly: They must also learn to eat calmly, not only for education, but also for health. Chewing food well reduces the risk of choking, but also allows them eat what they need, avoiding binge eating and the probability of suffering from obesity.
- Healthy snacks: Mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks should be nutritious, so bag snacks should be banished. The fruits, a sandwich, milk with cereals, are the best options.
- Know when to stop: Eat too much is not healthy, so it is also important to teach children to know when to stop eating.
Introducing other changes in family routines also helps improve children's eating habits, eat as a family, without distractions and enjoying of those moments of fraternal union, it is fundamental. On the other hand, it should not be forgotten that fathers and mothers are the mirror where children look at themselves, which as a rule they will imitate. Be the best example for your children, eliminate soda and unhealthy products.
If they can't take it but see how the parents do it, they get a confusing message. Improving the diet of the whole family is the best way for children to have a healthy relationship with food.