Healthy eating is something that will give your toddler a great head start on life. In fact, throughout his or her life, healthy diet will play a huge role in his or her health in general. Here are a few ways you can make sure your toddler is eating healthy food.
Make food fun. A plain pizza becomes a lot more appealing when it’s got cherry tomato eyes, and a banana smile, for instance. A mashed potato mountain with broccoli trees looks like a lot more fun too. Get your imagination involved, and your child will be more willing to eat healthy food. Even fun eating utensils, or a colourful or interactive placemat can make mealtimes more fun and your child more likely to eat the healthy food you are offering.
Getting your child involved in food decisions is a good idea too. Toddlers may not be able to plan meals, but they can help you go grocery shopping. Let your child decide on what fruit and vegetables you want to buy, and he or she will be more inclined to eat them!
Keep your child’s juice intake down. They may be healthier than fizzy drinks, but they still contain a lot of sugar, and a minimal amount of fibre. Rather offer your child milk, or look for juices that are prediluted, and fortified with extra vitamins and minerals.
Take your child on a trip to see where food comes from. A trip to a farm, orchard or harbour may be interesting enough for your child to encourage him or her to try foods that they wouldn’t otherwise.
When all else fails, be sneaky! Adding extra vegetables to lasagne or grating them into soup, stews or mashed potato topping won’t change the taste or texture much, but it will make sure your child is eating healthier foods.
Make food fun. A plain pizza becomes a lot more appealing when it’s got cherry tomato eyes, and a banana smile, for instance. A mashed potato mountain with broccoli trees looks like a lot more fun too. Get your imagination involved, and your child will be more willing to eat healthy food. Even fun eating utensils, or a colourful or interactive placemat can make mealtimes more fun and your child more likely to eat the healthy food you are offering.
Getting your child involved in food decisions is a good idea too. Toddlers may not be able to plan meals, but they can help you go grocery shopping. Let your child decide on what fruit and vegetables you want to buy, and he or she will be more inclined to eat them!
Keep your child’s juice intake down. They may be healthier than fizzy drinks, but they still contain a lot of sugar, and a minimal amount of fibre. Rather offer your child milk, or look for juices that are prediluted, and fortified with extra vitamins and minerals.
Take your child on a trip to see where food comes from. A trip to a farm, orchard or harbour may be interesting enough for your child to encourage him or her to try foods that they wouldn’t otherwise.
When all else fails, be sneaky! Adding extra vegetables to lasagne or grating them into soup, stews or mashed potato topping won’t change the taste or texture much, but it will make sure your child is eating healthier foods.
