The right food choice for your children

Raising a child well enough for him/her to grow into a non-self-destructing human being is the biggest challenge a parent faces. Among other lifestyle lessons that a parent (hopes to) impart, eating habits comfortably sits within the top 5. And why not? These habits will shape the most important aspect of their life – health.

Very often kids nag, and not because they like to generally make our lives difficult, but that is their way of asking for love and care. And love and care we give…often in the way of bad eating decisions for them! Just consider, how many times you “reward” your children with chocolates or ice creams or just give in to their feet-stomping demands of sweet treats at the grocery stores.

For your child, many lifelong food habits are established between the ages of 6 and 12. And in this day and age of KFC and Mc Donald’s corrective measures have to be a part of everyday life. So here are some tips on how to steer their affinity towards the healthier eating options out there.

• Allow your child to eat only when they are hungry. Make sure they eat slowly. The brain takes a good 20 minutes to register that you are full. Eating in a hurry often leads to over-eating. This can be a life-long weight control habit.

• Using food to bribe or reward makes the child ignore hunger cues. Buy your child a book or small toy instead of an ice-cream cone when you want to show them you are pleased.

• Make sure junk food is clearly categorized as “indulgence” and must be consumed only once in a while.

• Drinking milk is the easiest way to build strong bones because it provides both calcium and vitamin D. There are a zillion ways to make milk taste better. Just ensure that you do not add access sugar.

• Getting children involved in food choice and preparation is one of the best strategies for helping them eat right.
• Take your child shopping for groceries and make sure they are allowed to choose only among healthy options.
• Involve your child in cooking healthy meals. Let him make a brown bread sandwich or other easy-to-cook food like chaat. Appreciate the effort and taste to continue the trend.

• Kids who eat breakfast take in more of the nutrients they need. Breakfast skippers typically do not make up for the missed opportunity the morning meal provides and also tend to over-eat during other meals.

• Hungry kids will eat whatever is available, so stock the kitchen with healthy snacks.

Kids are like soft clay, ready to take up any shape you give. It is entirely up to you to give them the right guidelines. Hence, teach them the importance of healthy eating and let them know how good food can help lead a better life. And yes, pour in some amount of your endurance and patience since parenthood is pretty much synonymous with these two words.