Getting young kids to eat a balanced diet is an ongoing battle for millions of parents. And if you wish to unlock sustained success, it’s vital that you learn to make mealtimes fun.
When children enjoy a better relationship with mealtimes, there will be far less of a struggle. Whether you’re wanting to get your child to eat more or consume healthier foods rather than scoffing chocolates all day, here are five top tips to help.
#1. Find Variety With The Ingredients They Love
Many kids will have a natural preference for certain textures, tastes, or meats. However, like adults, they can grow bored of their favorites very quickly if it’s the same meal three times per week. These beef mince recipes for dinner show how you can mix things up without deviating away from the foods they love. It is also a great way to ensure that they are getting a variety of vitamins and nutrients by rotating the ingredients used for sauces and slide dishes.
#2. Incorporate Treats Into Mealtimes
Given the choice between eating a meal or stuffing their faces with candies, most kids would choose the second option. However, you can encourage a mindset shift by incorporating sweet treats into mealtimes. Baking up a storm with the kids is a fantastic way to do this as it also introduces them to cooking and healthy eating. Crucially, they will look forward to mealtimes because they know that there will be a special dessert. You should notice a significant improvement in no time.
#3. Add A Social Element
Children are naturally social. So, if they currently sit alone at their small table in front of the TV at mealtimes, this is something you must change. Making time to share evening meals together at the dining table is a great starting point. Hosting a child-friendly BBQ is another option that can promote a better relationship with eating and mealtimes. Once kids make the mental link between mealtimes and happy memories, it can influence their daily eating habits for the better.
#4. Make Food Look Fun
When dealing with young children, you may also find that the presentation of food is particularly important. This guide to creative and fun food ideas will point you in the right direction. It’s a simple move that can make meals look more inviting for kids, which can subsequently encourage them to eat more. It is an especially useful tool for making their school lunches more enjoyable. So, if this has been a source of problems, it can be the perfect solution.
#5. Let Them Take Charge
As is shown by the idea of baking together, kids respond better when they play an active role. In addition to having a little helper when preparing foods, you can also given them a few choices. This will enable them to feel as though they are in charge of the situation while you still won’t need to adjust your groceries accordingly. You may also look to ideas like growing fruit and veg, which further engages their minds. Adopting a healthier eating plan is largely about changing their mindsets. Do this and you won’t look back.
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