Is your child stubborn when it comes to eating food? Then, you are not alone. Here are several tried and tested ways to get your kids to eat better.Mothers have to work extra hard when it comes to feeding children. Are you tired of running around in circles while your child playfully dodges you to avoid eating? You are definitely not alone. Here are 12 innovative tips for those who have picky or
fussy kids.
1. Feed Them at Regular Intervals
Make a schedule for
feeding your child. Try feeding your child every three to four hours. There are so many ways to keep your child healthy and this is one method. Plan your child’s activity and meal times. Include lots of fluids and at least three meals and two
snacks.
2. Make Dinner Exciting
Children should not go to bed hungry hence do not let them skip dinner. A light and wholesome dinner consisting of whole-grain bread or chapatti and a vegetable should be fine. You can include some foods rich in protein or heat up whatever you made in the morning for lunch.
3. Do Not Put-Up With Incessant Demands
A lot of times, your husband might ask for some dish while your child will follow and say the same thing. Plan your cooking so you are preparing the same meals for everybody. Do not encourage your child’s tantrums if he says he wants something different from the others except if they fall sick.
4. Do Not Talk During Meals
Sometimes, parents have a habit of nagging the child too much and forcing them to eat. If you will keep watching your child’s plate every second or minute, chances are he or she will resist more and create a further fuss. Just keep the food in front of them and do not keep watching or talking.
5. Do Not Deprive Kids
Once in a while you can allow your child to indulge in junk foods but do not make it a habit. It is great to develop
healthy eating habits however children crave sweets and tasty dishes once in a while so there is no harm cooking pasta, pizza or Chinese for a change.
6. Influence by Television Advertisements
Do not get too deep into marketing and advertising tactics. Children are often influenced by unhealthy food products and videos on television and demand the same stuff. Put your foot down and make sure that you are not skipping good home-cooked food by feeding them junk.
7. Say No to Heavily Processed Foods
Avoid adding food colourings which contain chemicals while preparing meals at home. Similarly, if you are a stay-at-home mom you can easily make fresh food instead of opting for heavily processed food loaded with preservatives. Frozen foods are also available but you can instead prepare fresh home-made dishes. Sodas, French fries etc are all not great for the human system.
8. Make Dips and Chutneys
Nowadays, there so are many varieties of dips available in the shop. Similarly, if you are an Indian mom you would surely know how to make various types of chutneys, pickles or dips at home. You can make various types of healthy chutneys and dips which your child would find lip-smacking.
9. Breakfast and Lunch are Necessary
A healthy and wholesome breakfast provides children strength and energy to go through the day hence do not skip
breakfast. There is an old and popular saying – ‘Eat breakfast like a King, lunch like a Prince and dinner like a pauper!’ It is true and a fact which stands important even in today’s age.
10. Hide Special Ingredients
As mothers, you might have experienced by now how children make a fuss and do not eat ordinary stuff. They always want unhealthy stuff. Hence, if you are interested in providing nutritious food, then you can add veggies, etc in various foods and cook it in a way which is healthy, tasty and not so visible.
11. Soy Milk is Great for Fussy Kids
Did you know the wonders of soy milk? Loaded with phytochemicals, it is unbelievably good for your child’s health. Include soy milk secretly in milk recipes and watch with satisfaction as your child gulps it down.
12. Include Fibrous Foods
Fibrous foods are a must for proper bowel motion and they help to lose weight as well. Instead of giving your child fruit juices, cut it into pieces or eat it as a whole which is much better. Similarly, do not forget to include salads during lunch and dinner.
Encourage your child to cook child-friendly recipes and have fun. Try to be a good role model by adopting a positive and healthy attitude towards food. Avoid junk but allow treats once in a while so your children love you and learn from you at the same time.
What are the causes of fussy eating in children? How to help children improve their eating habits? What kinds of foods should be included in the diet of children? Discuss here.
