Healthy Eating Habits for Kids

Some tips on eating habits that could help mothers understand there need not be too much effort in their children’s food habits for healthy, just a few basics would do. Just go with the flow.

Developing Healthy Eating Habits in KidsLet children have all types of food, steamed, boiled, junk, oily, fried, baked, sweets etc.,  Let nothing be restricted completely, yet nothing be overdone. The child should develop such a gut immunity that he could eat and digest any food.

Guide them to understand what a balanced meal is. This doesn’t mean pestering about good foods or nagging while they enjoy their favourite (read: junk) foods. One meal of junk can be followed by a simple, healthy food, basically something easy on the stomach, during the next time meal. Similarly, a plate of meals should contain foods with various and essential nutrients. In simpler food, a minimum of three colored dishes per meal.

Good Eating Habits For Kids – Health and Hygiene

The first solid foods shouldn’t be tasty, sweet or salty. Blandness to mild taste is the maximum the child should taste in his foods of initial days.

Right from the time of first time of solid foods, make the children know what he is eating. Gradually, teach them how does the foods help in his growth and development. The child will lean towards good eating by himself to an admirable extent.

After 1.5 years of age, the child’s food should be majorly from the parents’ plate. There should be no concept like Food Chart or Baby foods for children above 1.5 years. Get guidance from elders in the family, get ideas from social media, cook what suits your family’s needs and health, prepare food accordingly.

Never compel to eat something they don’t like at all. There is rarely anything that a child would say a complete no to a food. A mother can always find a way to add in his diet in some way. If at all he refuses with vehemence, never compel him.

Insist on water intake. Let the child be reminded of drinking plenty of water every day.

Carrots can be as often as 3-4times a day in different forms, cooked, salad, paratha, baked, juice etc., helps with eye health.

Easy Carrot Recipes for Kids and eating habits

One important information about proteins is that unlike fats and carbohydrates, the excess does not get stored in the body as proteins but as fats. So, it is important proteins are included only adequately, but every day.

Egg as often as every day for proteins is a good idea. Try including in the morning foods, as they provide enough protein throughout the day.

A green vegetable everyday. Another colored vegetable at least 3 times a week.

Naturally fermented foods twice in a week. Our own idli, dosa, appam do a good job. The good bacteria grown in these fermented foods are good for digestive health.

Yakult for Kids: Benefits and Side Effects

Never follow the same menu. If possible, even the morning milk drinks can be a variety, every day.

Do not make the child’s lunch box a punishing affair. There is absolutely no need for a great variety of foods. Just something he likes, different everyday and less of junk. Especially, do no pack something he doesn’t like at all. Simple as that.

The idea of lunchboxes with main course food, salad and fruits shouldn’t be encouraged. Example, a paratha, a curry, vegetable salad, few types of fruits and a few biscuits and cookies all in the same box? No. Firstly, no fruits along with vegetables and next, there is meals and there are snacks. Fruits and Biscuits should be taught to eat as snacks, pack them in a different box or boxes. Let paratha, sabzi and salad be given as a proper lunch meal.

Another simple tip? When they start schooling as toddlers, it is normally half a day working for them. They will be hungry and craving for food once they return home and with a little coaxing and playfulness, you would be able to feed him anything then.  Habituate them to eat a good lunch, a balanced meal. Tada!!! You have done the trick for his lifetime!

Easy High Protein Snacks for Kids

Decoction of herbs and spices (Kashayam) once a week right from 1 year, can be given.  Basil leaves, ajwain leaves, cloves, crushed ginger, crushed peppercorns are the commonly used herbs. Sweeten it with palm candy, jaggery or honey, if needed. This improves immunity plus gut health.

No overeating. Teach them the child must stop eating, while he still wants a little more food. Full stomach eating is a No No.

How the food is eaten matters a lot too. Help the child practice to

Sit while eating

Chew the food properly

Take small to medium sized morsels each time

Never fill the plate with piles of food, but small quantities of what he needs to eat instead. He should learn not to waste.

Not to talk with food in the mouth.

Not to spill food.

Not to drink water while eating. A glass of water a short while before and after food is a good practice.

Finally, remember that major part of the above comes to children from what parents do. Model eating habits and etiquette to your children. It is a no secret that the children pick up from what they observe than what they are told to do.

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