Don'ts of Teaching Good Eating Habits

It is a must to avoid doing certain things if you want your children to imbibe good eating habits. Let us take a look at some don’ts of teaching good eating habits to children.Previously it was always the “dos” that used to be discussed and suggested when it came to parenting and teaching children about good things in life. However, there are some “don’ts” also which parents should keep in mind especially when it comes to teaching good eating habits to children. Sometimes, in order to help your children learn to make healthy food choices and get into good eating habits, parents overdo. Here are some “don’ts” which will make your mealtime with kids go well and smoothly. In this articleDo not make the rule of “clean Plate”Do not let the child decide what to eatDo not show your love through foodDo not let your children drink lots of fluid before mealsDo not make your kid finish dinner to get dessert1. Do not make the rule of “clean Plate”One of the biggest mistake parents make is to make the rule that everyone has to complete the meal with a clean plate. This means that children have to finish eating whatever is served in their plate, no matter what. On one hand this is good because your child learns to eat properly, but on the other hand this will force your child to eat even if she is full. If your child will understand and learn to respond to the feeling of fullness, she would be less likely to overeat.2. Do not let the child decide what to eatEven though you have put healthy choices on the dinner table, do not let your child decide and pick the food items she wants to eat. This is not going to provide her the fully nutritious meal and maybe deprive her of some necessary nourishment essential for her growth. So, you should teach your child to have a fully balanced meal by giving a little bit of leverage to have more servings of her favourite food item.3. Do not show your love through foodThere are many ways to show your love and care to your children. If you reward and show affection to your children through food, they will start using food to cope with stress, frustration and other emotions, both, positive and negative. This is going to teach them a wrong lesson. You should offer hugs and attention instead of giving food treats.4. Do not let your children drink lots of fluid before mealsDrinking too much or drinking just before the meal time will automatically reduce the amount of food your child is going to eat. Drinking sufficient water is good and recommended to prevent constipation and dehydration in kids, but they should be offered or a habit should be developed so that they drink water at least half an hour before meals. Feeling full at the meal time will make your child eat less, but she will start feeling hungry in some time and this might lead to munching on unhealthy snacks.5. Do not make your kid finish dinner to get dessertMany parents insist kids to finish whatever is there in their plate to get dessert. Occasionally offering sweets is fine, but do not make dessert the main reason for eating dinner. When you will make dessert the prize for eating meal, the main focus will be on the dessert and not the nutritious food you have prepared and served.One of the most important things that parents should keep in mind is it is good to stay neutral when it comes to food choices. Preparing food at home keeping in mind the proper nutrition and well balanced idea of a meal would be the best thing you should do. Children will automatically learn and eat balanced meals. Forcing children to eat is always a big no-no because this might make them nervous at mealtime and also make them lose their appetite. Secondly, they will never learn how much they should eat. Sometimes, children may not feel like eating or maybe they have a feeling of fullness. This is natural, accept it. Get into the healthy routine habit.How to teach good eating habits to children? What things should parents avoid doing while cultivating good eating habits? How to prevent faulty eating habits in children? Discuss here.