How to teach children healthy eating habits

Share some tips on how to teach children healthy eating habits.

Hello friends! I hope you are having an incredible week. We are going to San Diego, I can’t wait! – And I will definitely publish the adventures in Instagram’s stories.

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Today’s theme is important, and I am sure that many of my friends have some incredible tips to share the comments.

Teaching children about healthy habits from the beginning is one of the most important things we can do as parents. You can instill healthy eating habits at home, and establishes the bases for a lifetime of well -being. The teaching process can be long, challenging and, sometimes, overwhelming, especially with fussy dining rooms and the abundance of processed foods available.

Today, I wanted to talk about some practical and effective tips on how to teach children healthy eating habits in a pleasant, sustainable and without stress.

(Baby Liv! I can’t even)

How to teach children healthy eating habits

Develop a positive relationship with food begins young. Children learn better with the example, and parents play a very important role in configuring their children’s food options. Today, I share some ideas about why teaching healthy eating habits is crucial, how to encourage children to make nutritional decisions and some easy -to -introduce habits at home.

A friendly note here that I am not perfect and this is always a job in progress. Our children definitely still have sugar, food dyes and processed foods, but this is the exception, not the rule. Fortunately, they eat many fresh, organic, integral foods, and for the most part, they feed their small bodies very well. They are great dining rooms, and these are just some of the things that have helped us. This publication is for informative purposes and non -medical advice.

Why are healthy eating habits for children?

Healthy eating habits trained in childhood often reach adulthood, affecting long -term health, weight control and general well -being.

Teach children to eat a variety of nutrient dense foods help:

Support adequate growth and development

Strengthen the immune system

Establish good eating habits that avoid future health problems

Reduce the dependence on ultra -prosecuted foods in added sugars and unhealthy fats

Promote a positive relationship with food and an appreciation for balanced meals

It is much easier to shape the eating habits of a child from the beginning instead of trying to change unhealthy patterns later in life.

How can parents promote healthy eating habits in children?

1. Be a model to follow

Children mimic their parents’ behaviors, so demonstrating healthy eating habits is key. Show them that enjoy fresh fruits, vegetables and balanced foods, and they are more likely to follow their example. One of my favorite ways to make children ate giant salads when they were small was to make a huge for me with many fun textures and ingredients. They always wanted “snacks” who ended up with me sharing half of my food with them. This is how I introduced them to so many foods.

2. Make food time

Create a positive atmosphere on the table. Avoid pressing children to eat certain foods and, instead, foster exploration. Let them try different textures and flavors without judging. We always asked, “an educated bite” when trying something new. If they didn’t want to eat it, we encouraged them to try a polite bite, and if they were not yet fans, they didn’t need to eat it. Zero pressure.

3. Involve children in purchases and cook

Take your children to the grocery store and let them help choose healthy foods. The girls always surprise me with the fruits and vegetables they will choose, and they always eat them. It is a very fun way to try new things! Involve them in the preparation of meals excites them more to eat what they have helped to create. They love to help make energy bites, chop vegetables, hummus and crush chicken.

4. Offer a variety of food

Expose children to different groups of food and flavors from the beginning. The more diverse your diet is, the more likely you will be able to develop a preference for healthy foods on the options processed as fries and sugary snacks. Although it is so easy to get stuck in a routine, I try to constantly rotate what we have for lunch and dinner so that they are exposed to different flavors and textures.

5. Teach the consciousness of the size of the portion

It helps children understand portions control by serving appropriate meals and snacks. Let them listen to your signs of hunger and fullness instead of forcing them to clean your dish. I try to balance their dishes and if you want seconds of something, that is great. It is my work to provide food; They can decide how much they want to eat. We have never forced them to be a member of Clean Plate Club, and when they were small, if they did not eat much, it would wrap it and put it in the refrigerator for when suddenly they starved to bed before bedtime.

6. Keep healthy snacks accessible

Set off fresh fruit, cut vegetables, nuts and other healthy snacks. When nutritional options are easy to grab, children eat healthy. I maintain all the healthiest snacks on the lower shelves of the refrigerator and the pantry so that they are easier to grab and eat. In the refrigerator, you can find yogurt, hummus and vegetables, proscuitto, cheese, guacamole packages, grated roast chicken and different sauces to immerse yourself, energy bites, bars, chia bags, etc., and in the pantry, it is easy for them to grab the cecina, the mixture of trails, dry fruits, bars, bars, bars, populations or sea snacks.

It is worth mentioning here that I buy many of our Stack Staples in Thrive Market <: This link gives you a 40% discount on your first order!

7. Limit processed foods and added sugars

While occasional sweets are fine, try to minimize very processed foods that contain excessive aggregate sugars. Instead, opt for comprehensive foods that provide more nutrients and energy. For us, very processed foods are things that we have when we are not at home. I do not keep many things at home, so they are not really available daily, but they will be when we are with friends, on a road, at a party, etc. It is simply not part of everyday life.

8. Promote balanced meals

Teach children how to build balanced meals including protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates rich in fiber in their meals and snacks. I try to make sure that each meal and snack have a protein, fat, carbohydrates and some type of fruit or vegetables (sometimes both).

One of his favorite meals is Sushi’s roll in a bowl:

What are the good healthy eating habits to teach children?

These are some of the bases that I have worked over with time:

Eat a variety of food groups

Recognizing the signs of hunger and fullness

Drink water instead of sugary drinks

Choose comprehensive foods on processed snacks

Practicing conscious food

Sitting for family meals whenever possible

Avoid labeling foods as “good” or “bad”, but understanding balance

Listen to the needs of your body and take nutritious food choices

So tell me, friends: What are some of the things that have helped your family?

If you are looking for more resources, see my publication on fun training for friendly meals for children and children

Xoxo

Gina