It can be a challenge to get your child to eat healthily. It can often seem that the lure of crisps, fast food, fizzy drinks and chocolate are never very far away. It’s important to realise that as parents there are measures you can take to help limit the amount of junk food that your child consumes.
- Encourage your child to follow an eating schedule. Don't allow him to eat at unscheduled times, and try to keep snacking to a minimum.
- Try to get your child to only eat at the kitchen table. Establish an eating place for all meals and snacks, and for all members of the family.
- Ensure that your child is not doing anything else while eating. Always turn off the TV during meals.
- Serve your child healthy options. Beware of convenience foods loaded in calories with very value nutritionally. Junk food should be an occasional treat rather than an everyday occurrance.
Children thrive best on diets laden with vegetables,fibre, fruits, dairy and meats. Most paediatricians also advise parents to serve low-fat milk and water at mealtimes. The majority of fruit juices are filled with high-calorie and low-nutritional value and should only be consumed occasionally.
