Article from: My Family UK
Want more tips to help encourage a healthy eater in your child? Here are five more tips to help you on your way.
1) Shape up your fridge and cupboards
It’ll be difficult to teach your children about healthy eating if they are always presented with the sight of unhealthy snacks and sweets. What you say needs to correspond to what you practice. On the other hand, your kids should not get the idea that there is something magical about these kinds of foods – it’ll only make them want more. The key is moderation. Make homemade versions of junk food, like burgers and chips, with healthier ingredients. This way you can avoid the “But so-and-so’s Mum lets them eat it” speech. Let them know there’s nothing special about it, and that they can find enjoyment elsewhere.
2) Take the kids shopping
At the supermarket or the shops, allow your children to pick out the foods you need. It’ll give them choice and freedom, and they’ll feel a little more like they are choosing what they e eat, not being forced. This is especially useful for packed lunches!
3) Let them help you cook
A lot of battles over food are, in fact, battles over control. As a parent, you have a natural authority over your children… most of the time. Refusing to eat something is a child’s way of taking back some control, as it has an immediate effect on you. But getting them involved in the cooking means they can have a say in what they eat before sitting down at the table. Before cooking, talk to them about what they’d like to eat, and plan your menu. Whilst cooking get them to try new things; it’s a great way of finding out what your child likes and dislikes, and why this may be.
4) Cupboard love
If your child is upset, has had a bad day at school or some other mishap, don’t treat them with food or snack to help them feel better. This promotes skewed values, that link food to happiness, encouraging comfort eating that can lead to downward spirals of weight gain. Give them a big hug and get them to play a game. Not only will this take their mind off things but by getting active, the endorphines produced will make the child happier.
5) Be honest
A little honesty goes a long way. There’s no need to exaggerate to children or ‘trick’ them into healthy eating. If your child rails at you for denying sweets and treats, show the what can happen when people eat these sorts of things. Today’s media is saturated with images of the overweight, and there are plenty of children in this condition. One won’t take long to find.
Check out our previous Five Top Tips to get Your Children Eating Healthily.
Further Information
For further information, and for more great ways to have fun with your family, log on to www.myfamilyuk.com. With a huge collection of articles covering everything from child safety to rainy day activities, you’ll find all the help, guidance and entertainment you need to be a great parent.
Topic: bad day, cupboard love, cupboards, healthy eating, homemade versions, junk food, link food, mishap, shopping at the supermarket, unhealthy snacks