Mealtimes are very significant to many families. Apart from the fact that it is a time to nourish our bodies, it is also a chance to bond with other family members.
However, the time spent at the dinner table can be very challenging for parents and care providers who find themselves having to convince children to eat healthily.
Children can be very strong-willed about their food choices, and many parents have had to struggle incessantly to get their kids to eat their meals.
However, by using the right strategies, it is possible to get children to eat well and enjoy doing so. These strategies are discussed below:
Set a good example
The inclination to go for unhealthy junk food is by no means unique to children. Many adults love their junk as well.
It is important to remember that children are at the most impressionable stage of their lives. They learn pretty rapidly from how the adults around them behave.
You can teach them to eat healthy by always doing so yourself around them. Children are more inclined to love healthy food if they see that their parents enjoy it.
Get the kids involved in food preparation
Children may not be the best kitchen helpers, but getting them involved in the food preparation process can spark their interest in the food.
You can get your kids to help with simple kitchen tasks like washing vegetables or stirring food. Be sure to provide proper supervision for them while they are at it.
When children play roles in food preparation, they feel a certain sense of achievement and are, therefore, more inclined to enjoy eating it.
Show them how food is grown
Children love a fun day outdoors. Why not utilize that opportunity to teach them a thing or two about healthy eating?
You can arrange a visit to local farms to help your children understand how food is grown. Show them how growing crops is adventurous and fun. Explain to them, as much as is appropriate for their ages, how each plant nourishes the body.
Inspiring your children with nature's magic would get them interested the next time you give them a bowl of cereal at dinnertime.
Be innovative with your meal preparation
Instead of serving your foods in the same way every day, you can spark your children's interest by presenting the food in a variety of creative styles.
For instance, you can create fun shapes with the food before presenting it to the kids. You can research online for inspiration for creative means of food styling for children.
Allow children some input
It is helpful to allow kids, especially older children aged eight and above, a degree of independence in choosing their food.
You can provide your children with a range of healthy food options to choose from. This way, the kids get to satisfy their natural inclinations for autonomy and, at the same time, maintain a healthy diet.
Give the kids occasional treats
You do not have to be overly strict about healthy eating with your children.
It is alright to let the kids have ice cream and sweets, but it is wise to do this only occasionally and according to recommended health guidelines. Consult a nutritionist if you are unsure about what nutritional guidelines apply to your children.
Discuss healthy food with your kids
It is important to let children know why it is essential to eat healthily. Be sure to do this in a friendly and fun manner. You can show the kids educational pictures and videos highlighting the merits of eating healthy.
Exercise patience
Parents can often get frustrated with picky eaters and force them to eat. Doing this, however, can produce quite the opposite effect.
Experts warn that children might develop phobias for activities they are coerced into doing and avoid said activities in adult life. It is, therefore, more beneficial to get children to choose a healthy diet willingly.
Why not present those foods that your child rejects in a different form and combine them with varying types of food? Be patient and imaginative while dealing with picky eaters. That might just do the trick.
Final thoughts
In today's world, companies that manufacture junk foods spend a lot of money advertising their products. This has made it even more necessary for parents to take conscious measures to protect their children from the health dangers that they pose.
The measures explained in this article would help parents and caregivers to help children choose a healthy eating lifestyle.
