Feeding Your Child: Do’s and don’ts Do's

Do you always find yourself struggling with sealed lips and ‘no-no’ food? Read how one mother changed her child’s eating habits, and ensured that her child was eating healthy and finishing her meal. As a parent, I know how difficult it is to feed your child when she’s saying no to food and pressing her lips together. There’s no point in force feeding, as that will only aggravate the situation. I’ve learnt that it’s better to declare a ceasefire, wait for your child to get hungry and then feed her patiently.

Tips for Healthy Eating Habits in Your Child

Here are some pointers that will help in ensuring healthy eating habits in your children.

#1. Finish what’s on the plate 

Encourage your child to finish his/her food and say no to wastage. Also, serve only as much as they can eat; they can always go for a second helping.

#2. Fix a Proper Place for Meals

No moving around, either the kitchen area or dining room. Wherever it is, ensure that every one eats there. There should be no running behind your child to finish the meal.

#3. Healthy Fruits & Vegetables 

Inculcate the importance of fruits and vegetables. Let them snack on fruit platters, or prepare different veggies to add variety to the palate.

#4: Say No to Gadgets:

This is q distraction during meal times. Say no to TV, mobile phones or even landlines. Let the phone ring and avoid picking up during meal times, and your child will get the message that meal times are ‘no gadgets’ time. Read: 4 Ways to Tackle Child to Eat Well

#5. Meal times are family time:

In today’s busy life, if you share at least one meal with your family, your child will love it and will get the message that eating healthy and together is not an option, but a way of life. Read: Foods Ideas for Toddlers of 2 years

#6. Set Times for Meals:

Always set a time for meals; this should be started early. Ideally do this for at least one meal, the one where the whole family is together. 

#ParentuneTip: Ensure that you are following the same habits, to set an example. Check: Food Options for 2+ years toddler 

Is your child a fussy eater? How do you tackle the problem? Let us know in the comments below!