Young Children & Healthy Eating
It’s no secret that eating healthy keeps you fit, energized, and feeling great! This goes for children as well. When children begin eating table food, that is the time to introduce healthy eating habits. This sounds easy, but not every child is open to trying new foods.
However challenging your little eater is, just remember to keep introducing foods. Your child may not like green beans the first time they try them - but it takes some children several tries before finding that they actually like what mom is repeatedly trying to serve them.
Just as it takes some children several tries to find that they like a food, your child may one day decide that they do not like a food that they have been eating for a year or so! Such as my daughter Josie. Peas use to be her favorite vegetable. I knew that if she wouldn’t eat anything else, at least she would eat peas. NOT ANY MORE! She is active & asserting her independence, & some days I am lucky to get one meal into her belly - but I do know that she will eat when she is hungry :)
There are many reasons why a child may not like certain foods, or change their eating habits:
- They are asserting their independence - they want to eat on their terms
- They are a little older & are more active & simply aren’t interested in sitting to eat (for safety reasons children should always be seated when they are eating)
- Their tastes are changing
Keep introducing new foods. When you continue to offer a variety of foods to your child, it is more likely they will eat foods you never thought they would! This will also help you “spice” up meal times by making new foods & not the same ol’ meals day after day!
When it comes to feeding young children just remember: If at first they will not eat it, try, try again (whether you try the next day or in a week - it will make a difference)
Check out the links below for some great meal & snack ideas!