Are you struggling to develop healthy eating habits in your child? Nutrition for your child doesn't need to be difficult. By following the tips, tricks, and strategies in this article, you will be well on your way to healthier living for you and your child.
As a parent, you know how it feels to be busy. Between your career, your child's education, their extracurriculars, and whatever else you find yourself doing, it can sometimes be hard to find the time to eat a healthy meal with your family. As a result, you may have turned more and more to fast food options. However, these can have quite a negative effect on your child's health and growth. Studies have shown that substantial quantities of unhealthy food in a child's diet can lead to:
- Obesity
- Addiction
- Lower energy
- Poor academics
- Depression
To help your little one overcome these, it is important to focus on mindful and healthy eating. Keep reading to learn about 8 tips to help your child eat a healthy diet.
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At Grey Matter Montessori, we prioritize the social, mental, and emotional development of your child in addition to their traditional education. We understand the importance that a healthy diet and lifestyle can have on the positive growth of our students.
If you are looking for an alternative to a traditional preschool and a scientifically proven method of education, contact us today!
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8 Ways you Can Help Your Child Eat a Healthy Diet!
In a world that idolizes candy, sugar, and fast food, it may feel like an insurmountable task to get your children to focus on eating healthy. Although it may seem difficult, the good news is that you don't need to be a professional nutritionist to get your family on the right track. By following the 8 tips below, you will be on the way to healthier living for you and your family.
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1. You control what's put on their plate
As the primary grocery shopper and meal cooker, you have the ultimate decision on what gets put on your child's plate. Although your kid may badger you about the types of food that are in the cupboard and the fridge, at the end of the day, they will eat what is available to them. If you want to empower your child to eat healthier, which is why you are likely reading this article, you should stock the pantry with nutritious foods.
2. However, don't disregard your kid's opinions
Just because you are in control of the diet of your youngling, doesn't mean that you should disregard their opinions. Think of it as though you are presenting your child with a list of options that you have deemed as worthy and that your child gets to choose from what you are offering. This way, you will both get what you desire. You get to feel satisfied that your child is eating more nutritiously, and your child is satisfied that they get to choose what they want to eat!
3. Don't force a clean plate
Lots of us grew up under the idea of never leaving food on your plate, which some of deemed the "clean-plate club". However, this is not necessarily the most healthy habit. One of the most troublesome issues facing today's youth is overeating. By forcing your child to eat everything on their plate, they will begin to feel less of a response to when they are full and are more likely to overeat.
4. Avoid sugar-filled drinks
We've all heard this one; sugary drinks are not healthy for young bodies. However, this fact is so important that it bears repeating. In your average 355ml can of pop or sports drink, there contains approximately 10-12 teaspoons of sugar. Most nutritionists will recommend that children have no more than five teaspoons of sugar a day, which is less than half what is in the average can of pop! Some healthier, yet still tasty, drink alternatives include:
- Water infused with fruit
- Low-sugar juice
- Milk
- Almond milk
- Sparkling water
- Fresh-squeezed lemonade or juice
5. Dessert doesn't need to be a nightly occurrence
The occasional sweet is completely healthy for you and your kid, but that doesn't mean it needs to be a constant presence around dinner time. When you use dessert as a reward for finishing their nutritious meal, your kids will start to value dessert as being better and more important than the meal. By limiting the number of times dessert is available after dinner, your children will learn to respect healthier alternatives and be more willing to eat new, healthy foods.
6. Lead by example
Young kids model their behavior after their parents. From the moment they are born, they instantly look up to you and mimic your habits and actions. If you lead by example and eat healthy yourself, your children will be more drawn to do the same. If you follow the tips in this article, your children will follow.
7. Get your kids involved
Although it may seem like a hassle to take your child to the grocery store, it can be an excellent method of teaching them about all of the possible foods that are out there. Children tend to use all of their senses to learn. By exposing them to the incredible sights and smells of different foods from the grocery store, your children will naturally become more curious and will be more willing to open up their pallets to new flavors.
Another method that you can use to involve your kids is by getting them to help with the meal preparation. Simple tasks such as gathering ingredients, rinsing the vegetables, and stirring the pot will not only help you in the kitchen but will also teach your child more about food and nutrition.
8. Set time aside for meals
Creating a designated time for family meals has lots of varying benefits and will allow you to:
- Create a time to have a good conversation with your children
- Monitor their eating habits and promote good ones
- Act as a role model for proper dinner time behavior
- Distance your child from television and electronic devices while eating
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To learn more about the Montessori method and how we make a real difference in your child's development, contact us at 587-707-4739 or by filling in our online contact form below.
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