2016-02-17
Joybynature.com Team
Feb
17

Childhood is a very important stage of life. Habits learned at this age go throughout our life. Hence it is very important to teach kids a habit to eat healthy. At that tender age body grows at the maximum speed. Due to their active lifestyle, children must eat a balanced nutritional diet.

  • Encourage your children to eat slowly

Kids are really impatient when it comes to taking meals. They will either leave half their food in the plate or eat it all hurriedly. This is very bad for their body. Food must be chewed before swallowing so that the saliva mixes us with it, making it easy to digest.

  • Eat meals together as a family as often as possible

Eating together with the family develops the feeling of belongingness among children. On the dining table, the family bonds and in the meanwhile you can take care of what your kid is eating, especially in breakfast. Family support and love is a very important intake for any child.

  • Pay attention to portion size and ingredients

Make sure your kid eats in right quantities. Eating more than the required amount can lead to obesity in long run. Overeating also put a lot of pressure on digestive system.  Also eating less than the required quantity can slow down their growth and make them physically weak. Thus the meal size is very important.

The next concern should be what to eat? The food must be high in protein  and calcium. It must be low in fat and sugar. Make sure your kid eats fruits and leafy vegetables and is not very fond of junk food.

  • Discourage eating meals or snacks while watching TV

Food must be taken on a table or a stable platform. Taking meals is an important part of life and it should be taken seriously. Eating while watching TV in a wrong posture can adversely affect the body and digestion. Also while eating the kid’s concentration should be on his/her food, not on the TV.

  • Eat healthy

Encourage your kid to eat healthy and nutritious. Make sure they eat enough dry fruits and fresh fruits along with vegetable pulses and grains.

  • Encourage your children to drink more water

Water has a very important role to play in digestion. Water breaks down the food into digestible form. Appropriate amount of water intake is very necessary for the body to excrete properly. Kids should intake about 2-2.5 litres of pure water every day. This intake may increase or decrease with the changes in weather condition. 

  • Try not to use food to punish or reward your children

Food is the basis of life and it must be respected by everybody.  Never make food bait, a prize or a punishment to your kids. Nutrition is an important element and it must be provided on time and in right quantities.

  • Involve your children in food shopping and preparing meals

Take your kid along when going for grocery shopping. This way they will learn what to buy and which food contains what elements. Involving them into these decisions will teach them how to have a healthy diet in long run. They might also develop interest in this.

Kids must be given protein, calcium, fibre rich diet. Fresh-fruits are a must. Try to feed leafy vegetables also.

Image Source: Honesttogoodness

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