Promoting healthy eating habits and a healthy lifestyle from a young age is very important to your children’s overall wellbeing.  If good eating habits are established from the onset, children will most likely carry through a healthy lifestyle into adulthood.  Eating the right amount and types of food will give children the nutrients they need to grow.

Getting your child to eat healthy can be a challenge but by following these simple tips you can rest assured that your child will obtain all the nutrients they need:

  • Serve small nutritious meals and snack throughout the day
    • Preschoolers and young children have smaller stomachs but still need to get the same amount of food. So spread meals out during the day in smaller portions to help keep their tummies satiated!
  • Offer a variety of food
    • Offer many different foods from the various food groups
    • Cut up snacks and meals into various shapes and sizes. Ants on a log (raisins in peanut butter on celery sticks) or heart shaped sandwiches will make it fun for your little ones to eat.
    • Try to find fun recipes your children that incorporate all the food groups while tasting good. Recipes that are children friendly will further promote healthy eating as your children can help you prepare meals.
  • Do not restrict nutritious foods because of their fat content
    • Good fats are needed in our diet so include foods such as 2% milk, peanut butter and avocado in your child’s diet
  • Satisfy their thirst with water
    • Encourage your child to drink water to quench their thirst and replenish their bodily fluids when their thirsty instead of sugary fruit juices.
    • They may even enjoy the idea of flavoured waters with fresh cut lemons, limes, raspberries and other fruits.
  • Respect when your child says they’re full
    • Young children will learn to gauge how much food they need and how to adjust their intake throughout the day as they see fit
  • Be a good role model
    • Be a role model for your children for healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle
    • Have meals together as a family as often as possible. Make it a family affair by involving everyone in the cooking, setting of the table and eating.
    • If your child sees you trying new foods they will follow your lead and do the same.
  • Be patient
    • Children tend to reject unfamiliar foods the first time they see or taste it but try offering it again at a later time.
    • The more children are exposed to new foods, the more likely they will be to accept it and be open to healthy eating
  • Organize activities for your children
    • Young children rely on their parents to provide them with opportunities for physical activity and exercise so get them involved!
    • Good ways to get out and enjoy the fresh air are biking, walking, dancing, playing tag or joining teams with peers and friends.