Food is often a reason for fighting in many families, since they are many children have problems eating well. This for mothers, concerned about the growth, development and nutrition of children, is a constant headache. Therefore, it is very important to establish routines practically from when they are babies. In this way, you can achieve healthy and lasting habits over time.
If your children are one of those who fight at every meal, do not despair, surely you will soon be able to change this situation. Today we leave you with eThese tips to help you get your kids to eat more and better.
How to win the battle between food and your children
Here are 5 tips with which you will be able to find a way for the battle between food and your children to be won by food.
Establish routines at meal times
And the sooner you start, the better. That is, if you are still on time and your child is still a baby, start introducing the routines from the beginning introduction to food. These routines should include rituals that will gradually be introduced, depending on the age of the child. For example, before eating, you have to wash your hands, bring each of your things to the table, younger children simple things like napkins, for example.
These routines help the child anticipate what will happen next, which helps you feel safe. As the child grows, these routines should change so that the little one feels that it is a fundamental part of the family's daily life. Thus, the child will not receive mealtime as a new pitched battle.
No obligation, no prizes with food and your children
Under no circumstances should you force the child to eat, if the case is very serious and hardly takes food, Go to the pediatrician so that together you can find the best solution. But forcing the child to eat will only create a significant rejection effect on the child, who just by hearing that it is mealtime will prepare himself with everything to fight against you.
Moreover, you should not reward the child when he eats. Feeding is necessary to live, and the child must be aware of it in an age-appropriate way. If you include a treat when he eats, he will only eat when he can make a profit. That is, the whiting that bites its tail because you are not going to give it a treat every day or at every meal.
Set a time and duration for meals
According to experts, meals should not last less than 20 minutes so that the child can perform proper digestion. But it should also not exceed 40 minutes, since then the child is most likely using his manipulation weapons to avoid eating.
The appropriate thing is that every day you ensure that meals are made at a similar time. And that for each meal, you establish a duration time depending on the food to be taken. For example, breakfast does not take the same time as lunch at noon.
Offers variety when it comes to eating
Variety in food is necessary at different levels, first because a healthy diet must be balanced and varied, as he indicatesa food pyramid. But it is also necessary to vary in the dishes you cook, or else the child will get bored as normal. You do not need to be an expert cook, or prepare very exotic or elaborate dishes. With the same main ingredients, you can get many different dishes simply by changing the brewing process.
For example, legumes can be prepared in many ways although they are generally cooked in stews. You can prepare some delicious Lentil Burgers, in addition to many other fun and simple recipes that you can find in the link.
Involve the kids in the kitchen
Children love cooking, it is one of the most fun experiences for little ones, who have a great time manipulating ingredients and kitchen utensils. Ask your children to help you cook to the best of their ability, for example, they can wash the vegetables before cooking or help you decorate the dishes.
And most importantly, don't forget that you should always be the best example for your children.