HEALTHY EATING HABITS HOW TO
“When you go to the store together, you can show them different types of foods and start teaching them how to read nutrition labels,” Dr. Speaking of letting kids participate, you can turn your family grocery shopping trips into educational life lessons disguised as adventures (and, of course, time spent together). Kids can participate in age-appropriate kitchen responsibilities, like mixing ingredients, washing fruits and veggies or peeling potatoes. “The sense of pride they get from helping prepare the vegetable may increase their willingness to eat it,” Schnee says. Occasionally let kids decide which veggie to serve for dinner. Give them simple choices, like “Do you want to buy red apples or green apples?” Here are some ways you can allow them to participate in the creation of family meals and snacks: Like the rest of us, kids love having a say in what they do, and giving them choices allows them to feel both independent and invested.
HEALTHY EATING HABITS TRIAL
“Sometimes, it’s just trial and error to figure out their palate.” 4. Even then, they will need to try the food 15 or more times before they can say they truly don’t like it,” she says. “Your child should try at least three bites of a food, just to give it a chance. Fink suggests instituting a three-bite rule.
If your child asks for something else, you can explain that it is not on the menu for the day but offer to prepare it another night.”įor kids who are in kindergarten and older, Dr. “Make a decision about what you will serve, and stick to it. “You’re not a short-order cook,” she says. But don’t make separate meals for picky eaters. Schnee says it’s good to let kids (even picky toddlers) choose from what’s on their plate, and it’s OK if they choose just one or two things. It can feel nearly impossible to deal with kids’ picky eating preferences, but with intentionality and patience, you can nip it in the bud early.Ĭontinue to offer a variety of foods during meals to encourage exploration and allow for exposure. Instead, turn to easy, kid-friendly, dietitian-approved breakfast ideas, like whole-wheat toast with natural peanut butter or plain Greek yogurt sprinkled with a fiber-rich, low-sugar cereal and a handful of fruit. Fink says, “just something that’s nutritious to get their bodies going and fuel their metabolism for the day.”ĭefinitely don’t stress about the idea of making an elegant breakfast from scratch every morning. “It doesn’t have to be a large or elaborate meal,” Dr. Is breakfast really the most important part of the day? Well, they’re all pretty important - but eating a healthy breakfast gives your child the fuel they need to make it through the day and help them grow and develop properly. You can even set a timer to reinforce this expectation and help kids stay focused during meals. Limit meals to a reasonable length of time, no longer than 30 minutes. “For example, you can show them that half our plates should be non-starchy vegetables and some fruit.” “Eating as a family is good for social, emotional and developmental purposes, and having meals together is an opportunity to teach kids about portions,” Dr. It’s also a good time to teach them healthy eating habits and table manners. This way, kids are less likely to graze and overeat. Kids thrive on routines, so try to eat together as a family and serve meals and snacks around the same time every day if possible. These tips can help you teach your kids eating habits that will equip them for a healthy future and a positive relationship with food. But inadequate or improper types of nutrition can lead to childhood obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, prediabetes and further issues once in adulthood.” “Kids need good nutrition to live, grow and be healthy. “Food is the first type of medicine,” adds pediatric cardiologist Christina Fink, MD. And kids need healthy foods, in the right amounts, to help them grow. It can be tasty, fun and culturally important, and eating with loved ones provides opportunities for bonding and togetherness. Healthy eating habits and tipsįood serves a lot of purposes. “It’s never too soon to start teaching kids good eating habits,” says pediatric dietitian Diana Schnee, MS, RD, CSP, LD. By teaching kids about food that’s good for their health when they’re little, you can set them up for a lifetime of wellness. Poor eating habits in childhood can follow your kids well into adulthood, causing health issues and difficult relationships with food. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
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