Guidelines for healthy eating for preschoolers We know that like many other habits the child should also develop good food habits early in life. In order to teach them that “healthy eating is part of healthy life style” one can follow the suggestions given below– Mealtime can be a family time. Eating together as a family in a pleasant and enjoyable atmosphere helps children. Children learn by imitating the eating behaviour of other members of the family.
Variety is one of the important aspects and hence offering a choice of foods in child size portions is important. The child should be taught to finish everything on the plate. At the same time give them enough time to finish. There should be regularity in mealtime and snack time so the child gets properly hungry.
Put new items on the menu along with the child’s preferred foods. A balance between hard, soft and colourful foods should be maintained to stimulate interest. Menus must include dishes which are easy to handle and eat, like in the form of finger foods such as small sandwiches, chapatti rolls, small size samosas/idlis , whole fruit or hard boiled eggs. Serve meals at one place and not when the child is walking around.
You may want to select suitable seating arrangements for the physical comfort of the child. Above all, have the child rest before meals. A tired child may not be interested in eating. It is suggested that never ever bribe or punish the child to eat and finish certain foods.
It is injurious to building healthy food habits.