One of the most vital tasks for any parent is to ensure that their kids grow up meeting all of their nutritional needs. When they’re younger, you have almost complete control over what they eat, but as they get older, they tend to become creatures of habit. As such, the habits that you instill in them from a young age can play a crucial role in their health as they get older. Here, we’re going to look at ways you can keep those eating habits on the healthy side.
Make Sure They Get Breakfast
“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” does not mean that you have to start the day with a huge, hearty breakfast that will see them through to dinner. Rather, it’s about ensuring that they eat something, even a small meal, before going out for the day to keep their metabolism working as it should. If you miss breakfast, you’re more likely to crave everything sugary and fatty throughout the day.
Send Them Off With a Good Lunch
The school can be a vicious place for your youngster’s eating habits. It’s all too easy to fall into the temptation of sending some sugary snacks off with them, especially if you don’t have time to make them a full lunch before they head off. However, meal kits for kids can do a lot of the work for you. Make sure that they have the right mix of nutritious and filling in their lunchbox.
Limit Their Snacking
Snacking is one of the very worst habits of all, especially if becomes an all-day grazing affair. Keeping a healthy snack or two can be wise, but often, simply keeping a child busy can distract them from snacking. Making sure they get enough water is vital, too, as hunger and thirst can feel very much the same.
Maintain a Set Schedule
One of the best ways to prevent a lot of snacking is to make sure that you have a set structure for your meals. Breakfast, lunch, and then a family dinner, together at a predictable time, is going to keep your kid’s appetite in check and make sure their metabolism is ticking as expected throughout the day. Try to avoid missing your scheduled dinner time by any means, even if you have to meal prep to get ready in advance.
Be Mindful of Picky Eating
Picky eaters can’t be blamed for ending up that way, it’s often a lack of reinforcement from the parents. If you want to prevent future tantrums, the best way to do that is to show that they’re not effective now. If your child is clamoring for something, let them know it’s not on the menu. Establish the three-bite rule to ensure that they do try what food you serve and don’t give up on serving food if they don’t like it the first time. Serving it in variety with different forms of preparation can help.
Of course, healthy eating is just one habit you should try to get your kids invested in. Keeping them active and making sure they take care of their dental health is vital, as well.
