Diet plays a vital role in the growth and development of children. Parents, therefore, need to have know-how about the dietary guidelines that are pertinent for raising healthy children.
The difficulty of the task
The task of feeding children is not an easy one. Parents have to deal with picky eaters and placating the child, that too, when on budget.
Fast food has certainly not made their task easier. Children want nuggets and burgers instead of nutritious meals.
The job of feeding a child is also more complicated when your child is suffering from allergies and food intolerances. In such cases, you should seek the help of your Child specialist in Lahore for dietary guidelines.
For the rest of the parents, here are some feeding tips to make your task a little less daunting and serve food that is beneficial for the children.
Be careful about your grocery list
Your grocery list dictates your dinner menu. It is pertinent that discipline is enforced at the time of shopping; you should only opt for things that are healthy. Your children will try to add unhealthy things to the shopping cart, but you need to be firm about it.
If there are unhealthy items like processed food and sweets in your pantry, then your child might resort to eating these unhealthy items unbeknownst to you. Instead, encourage buying natural foods, like fruits, nuts, etc.
Do not spoil their dietary habits
Children are malleable. Parents set the precedent on what is a good diet, and what is not. You cannot expect to treat children with sweets and cookies, and then think that they would understand that these are unhealthy.
So, from the very beginning, preach the importance of healthy eating. Get them to develop a habit of eating healthy. Keep the junk food away from them, so that they do not develop a liking for them.
Healthy relationship with food
Food is often given as a reward. Your child got a good grade? Time for chocolate. It’s their birthday? Time to go to the burger joint.
When you set such expectations with food, you help in forging in an unhealthy relationship with food. Hence, you need to stop making food a form of reward. Instead, make them perceive food as an occasional treat and as a fuel, not as a form of love.
Give children some independence
If you are very stern, your children might resent it and become rebellious as a result. Instead, play smart. Give your children some rightful control.
An excellent way is by giving them an option between two things. When they choose, they feel some semblance of authority that then helps them in having control and it is easier to placate them.
Watch out for the drinks
We do not realize the impact of drinks on the caloric count. While sodas may be frowned upon, juices often find themselves as being something healthy. However, drinks pack a lot of calories as well. They offer little nutrition as well.
Therefore, limit your child’s intake of unhealthy beverages like sodas, juices, packaged chocolate drinks. Instead, serve milk or water.
Set the right precedent
It is pertinent that you as parents set the right precedent for your children. You cannot expect your children to eat well, while you yourself gorge on burgers and fried chicken. Hence, you need to eat healthy food, as you serve as your role model to your children.
Look for adverse reaction
Sometimes, your child is not faking the stomachache. They might have food allergies or intolerance that they are not able to relay properly. It is easier to call out on allergies; rashes, breathing problems, etc. are some apparent characteristics of allergies, but it may take time for intolerance to manifest.
If you suspect a case of food intolerance, you should consult a Child specialist in Islamabad.
