healthy eating

IS YOUR CHILD A PICKY EATER?

10 WAYS TO GET YOUR CHILD TO EAT BETTER

UDGAM SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN www.udgamschool.com

UDGAM SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN

1. HAVE A SCHEDULE IN PLACE Children need to eat every three to

four hours: three meals, two snacks, and lots of fluids. If you plan for these, your child's diet will be much more balanced and he'll be less cranky, because he won't be famished. Even when out of home, ensure that you carry healthy snacks.



2. HAVE MEALS TOGETHER It may be difficult to have all your meals

together and in most homes breakfast may be a hurried affair. But do ensure that you eat your dinner together. Include a well-balanced meal for dinner. When you eat together, your child develops healthy eating habits and eats a portion of all that is on the table. Remember to do the same so that she can follow the example.



3. DON’T FORCE THEM

As hard as this may be, try not to comment on what or how much your kids are eating. Be as neutral as possible. Remember, you've done your job as a parent by serving balanced meals; your kids are responsible for eating them. If you play food enforcer -- saying things like "Eat your vegetables" -- your child will only resist.



4. INTRODUCE NEW FOODS SLOWLY Children are new-food-phobic by

nature. Do not introduce them to too many new foods at a time. After they have started on one particular vegetable, try another one. A little hero worship can work wonders too. Tell them things like ‘Sachin Tendulkar loves peas’ and they may start liking peas too.



5. TRY VARIETIES OF RECIPES If your kid doesn’t like a particular

vegetable, it may be the recipe that he dislikes and not the veggie. Try out new recipes and methods of cooking. Some kids like to have slices of vegetables with dips. Make some yummy dips and you may have your child snacking on carrots!



6. LET THEM BE THE COOK If your children become involved in

choosing or preparing meals, they'll be more interested in eating what they've created. Take them to the store, and let them choose produce for you. If they're old enough, allow them to cut up vegetables and mix them into a salad. For smaller kids supervision while in the kitchen is necessary.



7. FOLLOW THE ‘NO JUNK’ RULE Remember you are in charge of what

comes to your house from the supermarket. It is for you to decide whether you should but junk or healthy food. If there is no junk in the house, kids will have to eat fruits and other healthy snacks. Try and cut down on junk food as much as possible.



8. DESIGN FOR FUN FOOD

Use your creativity to make food look more appealing to the kids. Cutting them out in shapes is a good idea. So is giving the food funny names. You can even encourage your children to design the food as they wish. Sometimes adding a dash of colour helps to liven up a dull looking dish.



9. ALLOW TREATS TOO

Being too strict about food may not work with most kids. For example popcorn during movies and McDonalds for weekends is fine as long as you balance it with plenty of good food during the week and the kids indulge in physical activity. Do not say ‘no’ to all junk and a few treats once in a while will make them eat healthier in the long run.



10. EAT WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO EAT

Basically, parents are the role models and whatever they do the kids try and follow. If you are a fussy eater then chances are your kids will follow your picky habits. Eat heartily and include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Kids will follow you and eat well too.



SOME MORE TIPS

Reward the kids once in a while for eating right.

Turn meal times to fun times. Follow the ‘no TV’ rule during meals. Talk to your kids about the right nutrients and

the ill effects of junk food. http://www.udgamschool.com i

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