How To Talk About Feeding To Children?

As the child grows, he incorporates and rejects different foods. This process of discrimination is necessary for your nutrition education. 

One of the main concerns for parents is the feeding of children. At all times they question the way they eat or the amount of food they eat; The truth is that to get the little one to get used to good habits, you should start by talking about feeding to children.

A good food education allows adults to become aware of what they put in their mouth; what we eat can have an impact on  avoiding eating disorders such as obesity, anemia or malnutrition. We must also mention other types of pathologies, such as bulimia or anorexia.

When talking about feeding children, we seek to train people with their own criteria, to choose the healthiest. That they are young people who, in their own growth process, are capable of limiting the consumption of processed foods; and also understand that natural foods are the source of the energy they need every day.

Talk about feeding to children

In the process of raising and educating children, perseverance is a maxim to instill habits and good customs; this also applies when teaching them to eat. However, food should not be a reason for a fight, reward or stress. On the contrary, mealtime should be a space of freedom, peace and enjoyment.

During the first year of life, it is important to let the little ones experiment with food; it is not bad that they do with the food some actions such as grabbing, squeezing, undoing, squeezing. This is the easiest way to arouse your curiosity about food; instinctively they will put their hands to their mouths and taste what is left in them.

From the age of 3 to the age of 11, foods familiar with the adult diet begin to be incorporated. This is the case of fish, raw salads or seasoned dishes. It is always advisable to  heed the advice of the pediatrician, to avoid premature allergies or digestive problems.

It’s never too late to start

Nutritionists agree that the best way to create good habits in children is to practice them at home. Parents must be the reflection of a healthy and balanced diet.

When talking about feeding children, these recommendations can be useful for parents:

1. If the child eats little. The first thing to confirm is from what perspective the child eats little; usually a single plate or half plate of food is not enough for a parent. However, children know their level of satiety well.

Another reason why the child may eat little is because of a lack of appetite. In this case, it is necessary to verify if it is due to some type of illness or disinterest in food; do not forget that a little creativity in the kitchen can help rescue the interest of the little one.

1. If the child eats a lot. In some cases, overeating in children may be due to anxiety problems. By observing their habits well, we can determine if it is this type of problem or a growth peak.

In case of anxiety, it is important to help the child to identify the reason why he feels this way. One way to control this condition is to leave only healthy foods on hand, such as fruits or nuts. This will be the process for when you feel the need, try a fruit instead of a cookie.

1. At lunchtime. It is important to avoid distractions and focus the child’s attention on each bite; avoid pressure, threats or punishment related to food.

Foods that should not be missing in the diet of children

Not all children are good eaters or have a large menu; in many cases, most refuse to try new foods. Therefore, there is a list of recommended superfoods for children, regardless of their habits. Some are:

1. Foods that are a source of calcium, such as dairy products, which also benefit the digestive processes. It can be mixed with fruits to complement the menu.
2. Avena. It is a natural source of energy and fiber.
3. The egg is a protein that can be cooked in many ways, allowing it to satisfy different tastes and palates.
4. It is important that the child’s diet has a good supply of vitamin C and sugars. We will find this nutrient in fruits, vegetables, smoothies and juices.

As we have seen, the key to talking about feeding children lies in the quality of the information available. In other words, the more and better informed we are, the more alternatives we can find when it comes to successfully transmitting our knowledge.