Young
children can be challenging to predict when it comes to eating habits. Some
days they can't eat much. The next day they seem to be eating all day. They
want a meal every day for weeks, and then suddenly they don't like it. And how
much your child eats may vary depending on how much the other child eats. But
don't worry. Your baby's weird eating habits aren't mysterious. By refusing to
eat, your child is exercising his freedom. Here are some common reactions to
their food.
❤Choosing a few foods and not eating anything else.
❤Not
ready to do anything new.
❤Refuse
to eat based on color or texture.
❤Losing
interest in a portion of food they liked.
❤They
want to feed themselves with a spoon or fork.
The way to promote health habits:
You
cannot force your child to eat. However, you can provide nutritious food,
demonstrate healthy eating habits, and set the stage for happy mealtimes.
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Healthy eating habits
Serve
in the right amount. Offer your child 1-tablespoon of each meal for each year.
For example, if he is 3-years old, offer 3-tablespoons of each meal. Smaller
portions allow him to ask for more.
Be
patient. Offer new foods several times. You may have to serve food 10 to 15
times before your child tries to eat.
Let
your child help. Let her choose food at the grocery store. Then find a way to
help them prepare food or set the table. Participating in different portions of
mealtime may increase her chances of eating.
Make
things fun and attractive for your little ones. Cut the food into shapes with a
cookie cutter to make them more delightful to your baby. Show some creativity
on your child's plate. Give unusual names to their favorite foods to attract
them.
Offer
options. Instead of offering vegetables to your young child, let them choose
between two options. "What would you like for lunch/dinner, spinach or
cabbage?"
Mix
new things with old ones.
Serve
varieties of foods with favorites.
It
can make it easier to try something new.
Give
your child healthy tips and tricks to encourage them to try new fruits or
vegetables.
Be
a good example. If your child sees you eating variations of healthy foods, he
is more likely to try them.
Assemble a list of your child's favorite healthy foods so you can make sure he eats a balanced diet.
How to trigger your child for a
happy mealtime:
☛Initiate
a routine. Kids love it when things are the same.
☛Set
a regular mealtime.
☛Sit
in one place for each meal.
☛Save
meal times to eat and spend with family.
☛Do
not allow your child to play with toys or electronic devices on the table.
☛Don't
let them read books or watch TV.
☛Demonstrate
to your child how good eating together is.
☛Ask
them to stay at the table until everyone has finished eating.
☛Make
mealtimes pleasant. If mealtimes are attractive, your baby is more likely to
eat.
☛Try
to avoid discussion or negative conversation at the table.
Manage
your expectations. Don't expect etiquette that is too difficult for your child.
For example, don't expect a 3-year-old to eat from a proper pot. For many
children, a spoon is easy than a fork.
Because
not all children are the same in nature and behavior, it will be difficult for
every parent to create and manage healthy eating habits in their child.
Especially having a challenging routine like a working woman or a housewife,
everything for everyone may not be the same. Still, with a bit of effort and
dedication, you can make an impossible task possible.
The
article is contributed by Mehr-Un-Nisa, one of the writers at the School of
Literature.
