Healthy eating habits begin in the early years, and parents play a pivotal role in instilling proper dining behaviors and choices. Right now, children’s bodies can handle devouring a bag of chips or slurping down a slushie; however, if these snack options become a regular norm, their health may feel the impact down the road. Therefore, it’s critical to work with your kids to establish life-long healthy habits. The following are five tips for teaching your young ones to make life-long, good-for-their-bodies decisions.
1. Model Behaviors
Encourage making wise choices. You may have a picky eater. Children don’t just look at food as fuel. Instead, snacks and meals become a chance to express their independence and interests. New selections mean facing unusual textures and taste that their taste buds aren’t sure of. They may snub the choices out of fear of something new or a desire to remain in their comfort zone.
To alleviate these concerns, model proper eating behaviors throughout the day and selections at dinner time and throughout the day. Kids watch you, and they strive to be more like you, whether they like it. Therefore, discuss why you selected an apple over a bag of chips. Talk about how it offers nutrients and energy while the chips could make you sluggish. Eat a well-balanced plate of colorful foods and lean proteins at dinner time. Show your kiddos new options that can taste good and be good for you.
2. Establish Family Dinner Time
Don’t let food become an emotional choice. Children love routine. Their bodies thrive on it. Although life gets crazy, strive to sit at the dinner table together for most of the week. Scheduled eating helps your littles understand they should limit snacks and stick to bigger meals for satisfaction. In addition, time at the table allows for family conversation, well-rounded plates and modeling of dining behaviors.
Often, people look at food as comfort, grabbing sweets and carbs to soothe their emotions. But food isn’t an emotional coping mechanism. It’s a means of providing the body energy. Food serves as a part of the act of wrapping up the day and filling the belly. Use dinner time to demonstrate that it’s not as much what you’re eating as it is the time your spending together.
3. Stock the House With Healthy Choices
Build the habit of picking out nutritious snacks. When kids head to the cabinet, what do they see? Are cupcakes staring back at them? Well, who wouldn’t want to grab one and gobble it down? While you don’t want to deprive yourself or others, you want to consider selecting the items available and the ease of getting to them. Keep the indulgences limited and stash them out of sight.
Instead, fill the pantry and fridge with lean proteins, veggies and fruit. Precut and wash some so kids can snag it quickly. Keep hummus or dips available to add flavor. Select low-fat yogurts and cheese sticks, putting them up front in a highly-visible spot. Pick high fiber crackers or encourage whole wheat bread with sugar-free peanut butter.
4. Don’t Force Food
When parents make kids eat something, children may put up a mental blocker. The fight dominates the table rather than the food. Those stigmas can influence kids long-term, turning them away from specific selections. These battles could also influence negative habits.
For instance, many parents make kids finish the plate. This tactic seems appropriate; however, it encourages children to ignore their gut, filling it up too much. The practice, therefore, fosters over-eating, something that hurts kiddos in the long run. Instead, encourage moderation and listening to their stomachs.
Help your loved ones learn to make the right choices early. Begin modeling and teaching about balanced meals and appropriate dining habits. Lessons now help build strong habits for the future.
