Good eating habits in children

In order to make family meals as quiet and relaxed as possible, without distractions from children or desperation on the part of parents, it is necessary to take into account some en guidelines regarding the food, the schedule and the behavior that should be on the table. Before sitting down to eat,

In order to make family meals as quiet and relaxed as possible, without distractions from children or desperation on the part of parents, it is necessary to take into account some en guidelines regarding the food, the schedule and the behavior that should be on the table. Before sitting down to eat, it is important that children know what we expect from them. For that to be possible, it is advisable that we put into practice some good habits. Consejos 11 tips for children to eat well

1. Call the children to the table and before sitting down to eat, we should all wash our hands. It is a norm that in addition to preparing children to eat, they teach them

good hygiene habits

. 2. Before going to the table the children must pick up, with or without the help of the parents, to depend on the age of the child, the toys that they were manipulating or stop with the activity with which they were enjoying so that they can focus in the food and not in what they were doing before. Both toys and television should not be allowed at mealtime. Para 3. For children to come to the table with appetite, you should avoid giving them treats, snacks or other foods before meals. Ideally, children should enjoy5 meals a day

: breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner.

4. During the meal, z avoid fruit juices with sugar and soft drinks. Natural juices and water are the most recommended drinks for everyone. Los 5. Children should eatvaried, appetizing foods

and if possible they have a simple presentation and arouse their interest and desire to eat. When a new food is presented to children, it is a good occasion to decorate the food dish. That way they will be more interested in trying it. 6. The food should be balanced

. They must contain the adequate proteins, nutrients and minerals and oriented to the development of children. 7. The time of the meal is not just in the act of eating food, it is also a moment of family communication. It is a good time to share experiences, ideas and information among all, to talk in family about the things that have happened to us, etc. 8. Parents should be examples for their children at the table. Children should know that when we are eating, even if it is a bottle, we should not do anything else. Do not turn on the television or answer the phones. Just saying to the child 'behave yourself at the table' is not enough.

You have to give the example .9. When the child does not like the specific flavor of a food, he should not be forced to eat. There are flavors that please everyone and that should be considered. You have to be patient and offer another different possibility.

10. When children are old enough to use silverware, it is necessary to teach them how to hold them. Never let them eat with their hands or talk with their mouths full. Learning can be fun and playful. When they are very young, they can be motivated with games and reinforcing their successes with a smile or applause.

11. While at the table, the time of the meal should not become a battlefield. It is not about fighting so that children eat, but feeding them, teaching them manners and building a moment of union and communication. You have to have that very clear from the beginning. Parents are responsible for creating good eating habits in children. When these habits are instilled in them since they are babies, the customs will leave by themselves with time. It is also important to remember that parents are an example for their children even when it comes to eating.