A well-balanced, healthy diet is critical for your child’s growth and development. Good nutrition helps them perform well in school and feel good about themselves. However, children are children, and eating healthy may be the last thing on their minds.
We’ve compiled a list of nutrition tips to help you stay on track.
Fruits and vegetables should be served.
Raw fruits and vegetables scrub and clean teeth naturally. Furthermore, the nutrients and antioxidants are beneficial to their entire body.
Every day, provide dairy.
Calcium is found in dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yoghurt. Calcium is a mineral that the body requires for healthy bones and teeth, as well as proper heart, muscle, and nerve function. If your child dislikes dairy or has a dairy allergy, dark leafy vegetables and calcium-fortified foods like orange juice are a good substitute.
Select Healthy Snacks
Sticky and gummy snacks can put your child’s teeth at risk of decay. Plus, low-nutrient snacks fill your child up, so they won’t want to eat the healthy and nutritious dinner you’ve lovingly prepared.
Juice and soda should be limited.
Large amounts of soda and juice consumption have been linked to childhood obesity. Soda contains sugars and acids, both of which are harmful to the teeth and can lead to tooth decay. Water is a better option.
Select Sugarless Gum.
After all those fruits and vegetables, your child is bound to crave a sweet treat. Chewing gum increases saliva production, which helps keep teeth clean and bacteria-free. Xylitol is found in sugarless gum. Excess saliva and xylitol reduce plaque, fight cavities, and inhibit the growth of oral bacteria.
How do you teach children to maintain a healthy diet as they grow older?
Getting kids involved in the kitchen, whether through cooking classes or at home, may increase their likelihood of eating healthy foods. Cooking is a fantastic family activity, and there are numerous ways to involve children of all ages! Children can learn math skills, fine motor coordination, nutrition choices, and basic cooking techniques in the kitchen.
Involving children in the selection of healthy foods for their lunches and after-school snacks will help to instill healthy habits.
What about picky eaters?
If you have a picky eater and don’t know where to start. Consider some of these healthy snack options:
Healthy Treats: Incorporate fruits and vegetables into your children’s favorite baked goods. Banana bread, zucchini muffins, and carrot bars are a few examples of foods that can be disguised.
Veggies/fruit and Dip: Because kids enjoy anything hands-on, dipping is always a good idea. Carrots, celery sticks, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes with hummus or low-fat ranch dressing Low-fat yogurt pairs well with apples, bananas, pears, and strawberries.
Cheese: The protein in the cheese will keep you going until dinnertime. Cut it into fun shapes with a cookie cutter and make kabobs with your child’s favorite fruit.
Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is high in protein and fibre. Spread it on whole-wheat crackers or celery stalks, then top with sweet and chewy raisins. If your child is allergic to nuts, avoid peanut butter.
Smoothies: Smoothies are a great way to get two or three servings of fruit and fibre into your child’s diet. As the smoothie’s base, combine nonfat vanilla yoghurt, 100% orange juice, and a banana, then add a variety of cut-up fresh or frozen fruit.
You will ensure better nutrition for your child and a strong foundation for lifelong healthy eating habits by expanding your menu and providing a variety of tasty, healthy foods.