Fostering an interest in food and nutrition at an early age will really stand your little ones in excellent stead when they get older, helping them to make healthier choices and keep their immune systems in excellent working order.
However, it’s often easier said than done and, no doubt, there are many parents out there who have found or are currently finding mealtimes to be something of a struggle, with their children fighting every mouthful… particularly where vegetables are concerned!
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be a battle each time you sit down to eat and there are lots of little strategies you can employ that will help your children enjoy food a lot more (while making your life easier into the bargain).
Here are just a couple of ideas you might like to try out if you are finding it hard at the dinner table right now.
Get the kids involved
One of the best ways to encourage a lifelong interest in food is to get your children involved in the cooking process. By seeing how dishes are put together and by giving them experience in the kitchen, they’ll learn new skills and not be afraid to try new foods.
Perhaps even consider asking them to pick the meals, so they’re even more excited about what’s on their plate.
Have regular family meals
Sitting down to eat together is a wonderful ritual and a great opportunity to bond as a family. Children thrive when they have routine and regular family meals are a good way to establish this… and it’s an excellent chance for you as parents to be good role models for healthy eating.
Provide healthy snacks
Kids will eat what you have in the cupboards, so make it easy for them to think more healthily by providing them with snacks like fruit, vegetables, nuts, cheese, peanut butter, hummus, popcorn and so on.
Want to find out more about teaching kids nutrition? Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.