Child Growth and Development – How to Encourage Your Little Ones to Eat Healthy

Proper nutrition is a very crucial aspect to focus on is you are very keen on supporting your child’s growth and development. Latest studies have proven that ensuring proper growth and development all boils down to eating healthy from the very moment children began taking solid foods.

Here are proven tips and techniques on encouraging your little ones to eat healthy.

1. Parents First.

If you want to instill in your little ones the practices that uphold nutrition, then you should know that it should all start from you, their parent or parents. You, as a family, must work together in upholding good health. Often times, the reason it is difficult to let them eat healthy is you don’t practice what you preach. Be a good example to your children so you could easily persuade them to do the same.

2. Continue giving milk until preschool or even older.

Generally speaking, children become picky eaters when they turn 1, the time when they get to be assertive. Even when they are already eating solid foods, you should still continue giving them milk. Check out with your pediatrician the right milk for your child’s growth and development. Milk allows you to provide your child the essential nutrients he or she needs just in case he or she doesn’t like to eat some healthy ingredients.

3. Be consistent.

Consistency is another key to eating healthy. Make sure you are consistent in offering only good food choices. Plan your family’s daily menu. Always make sure your child gets the right amount of nutrients such as protein, carbs, fats, fiber, calcium and other minerals from the meals you prepare each day.

4. Find creative, healthy recipes and learn some preparation tricks.

It’s also good to search on the web for healthy recipes. You’ll also find easy-to-follow tricks on preparing creative dishes that your kids will adore.

Some recipes also teach you how to hide nutritious ingredients such as stuffing your child’s favorite meatballs with lots of vegetables or perhaps adding thinly chopped vegetables to his or her favorite spaghetti.

5. Welcome your little ones in the kitchen.

Young ones usually like getting involved in adult activities. Include them in your meal preparations. Ask them what nutritious ingredients they like so you’ll know what recipes to prepare. Ask them to help you in the kitchen so they can develop their appreciation for food. 

6. Rewards system.

Give your children special rewards for making good food choices. Give them things they like or treat them to a movie on your family weekend date.

7. Happy dining atmosphere.

Having a fun-filled meal times encourages little ones to eat regardless of the taste of certain ingredients on the table. They love to eat not really because of the food but because they always look forward to sharing positive experiences with you and the family.

Source: Pediasurearabia.com offers various recipes for young children and provide helpful guides to supporting child growth and development.