All parents are aware of how important it is for the development and health of our children to have a complete and balanced nutrition. However, although this is our responsibility, it is ideal that the child assimilate proper nutrition guidelines and become able to choose, for himself, the right foods.
Let's start with ourselves
It is inevitable, and even adequate, that we do not become obsessed that the diet is perfect and that we do not completely prohibit children from less healthy foods. However, it is one thing to be restrictive and another to make available goodies, pastries and industrial foods full of fat and sugar on a daily basis.
Make a good purchase and dispose of healthy foods, in a balanced and appetizing menu, daily, is the first base to achieve that children assimilate healthy nutrition guidelines.
Of course, and this is fundamental, we must set an example. If at home it is normal to take quality vegetables and salads, fruits and proteins, the child will get used to it. If we eat healthy our children will get used to eating healthy.
If our pantry and fridge are nutritionally balanced, and healthy foods are always available, our children will eat those things.
But if we are pecking industrial sweets or snacks all day, we skip fruit and vegetables or eat pre-cooked products, it will be useful to try afterwards when the child appreciates what we reject or does not ask for things less suitable for his health.
That is, the first guideline for getting the child to learn proper nutrition is feed us correctly and make a purchase and a healthy kitchen.
You have to be consistent and teach, above all, by example. And avoiding to enter situations of power or tension for food, because the attitude of parents strongly influences the nutrition of the children and we must be aware of the true amounts that children need to not press them and that they abhor the moment of food.
When children begin to choose and understand
Leaving aside the normal problems that a child can present to new foods or textures, if since childhood he has become accustomed to eating fresh, balanced and healthy foods at home and, on the contrary, sweets, precooked foods and industrial pastries are not Products that are available, you can develop quite adequate nutrition guidelines and, when it is time, understand them.
I have advised many times the importance of a healthy fridge and healthy snacks at your disposal. But if our guideline is to receive them at the exit of the school with a bun and an industrial juice or we use the sweets as a prize, we will sabotage their correct choice, proposing as desirable what is not convenient for them and increasing their desire.
No bans, no threats. No blackmail or awards.
That yes, and I emphasize it, the absolute prohibition It is not convenient either, and within the limits of logic, drinking sweets or buns from time to time does not obsess with them either. But I repeat, from time to time, not daily and never as a reward for eating other things, "behaving well" or pooping in the potty.
Since the child develops his language and ability to understand it is appropriate that we introduce conversations about food properties. And I mean to tell you what helps you to be healthy, not to tell you that if you don't eat the fruit you will give them scurvy or that the Kings will not bring you gifts. It is understood the difference between informing and threatening, true?
The purchase and the kitchen
In addition to talking about the properties of food, an excellent way to introduce them to knowledge about proper nutrition and nutrition is make them participants in the purchase and preparation of the food.
Babies are often overwhelmed in the supermarket soon, especially if we choose to go one day in a hurry and when there are many people. The ideal is plan food purchases as a pleasant time and, when the child already walks or understands, making those moments a joyful and enjoyable family activity.
I remember that my son loved going to the greengrocer and the greengrocer. We looked at everything, explained its name, helps me choose the menu and with that, in addition to learning, enjoyed. And then, of course, allow him Help in the kitchen and collaborating in recipes increased their pleasure and involvement in food.
