Did you know that babies are born knowing how much they need to eat to grow and thrive? Starting your child off with the right eating habits begins with establishing a healthy parent-child food relationship. No matter the age, we all have ways of communicating when we are full and satisfied. It is when we ignore these cues, in ourselves as well as others, that bad habits, including overeating or poor nutritional choices, are established. We hope that the following suggestions help you in your efforts to raise a child with a healthy outlook:
Establish a positive parent-child nutritional relationship
Keep in touch with your child's cues for when they are hungry, full, or whether they like or dislike the food they're eating. How you read these cues will develop how your child relates to food in the future.
Don't make food a punishment OR a reward - this teaches a child that they need to ignore their own body signals and listen to yours, and in addition, this ultimately can create a negative relationship with food.
If your child refuses to eat, don't force the issue. Offer them a wide variety of choices at mealtime to keep their tastes broad, but you need not worry if they indicate that they're not hungry when you think they should be - they'll make up for it at their next meal.
Set a good example when trying new foods
Your baby is born with the instinct to reject foods that seem unfamiliar, so don't be disappointed if that's exactly what happens when you try something new. Keep on trying - it may take multiple attempts before your child agrees to try something. However, because your child learns from your body cues, attempt not to show distaste or dislike for a new food, as your child may just follow suit.
Explore all the different colors of the rainbow!
With such a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to choose from, you can make mealtime fun and nutritious at the same time. The earlier you introduce your child to different foods, the more likely they are to follow this same pattern when it's their turn to make choices as they grow.
Get Moving - Together!
Just like with making food choices, the earlier you introduce your child to a positive relationship with activity and exercise, the more likely they are to expand that relationship as they get older. Get involved with your child and their interests. Choose activities that involve the entire family, and commit to spending that time together. A happy and healthy parent means a happy and healthy child!
