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Encouraging healthy eating habits in children can be a challenging task for many parents. According to the NHS, over half of children will exhibit fussy eating habits at some stage. Charlotte Stirling-Reed, a child and baby nutritionist, emphasizes the importance of not blaming oneself for this common developmental phase. She reassures parents that they are not alone in dealing with fussy eating behaviors.
One strategy that Charlotte recommends is letting children have a say in their food choices. Allowing them to choose what they want to eat can actually lead to them being more open to trying new foods. Giving children autonomy in their decisions can help them develop a healthy relationship with food. Charlotte also advises not to force children to eat and to allow them to leave the table when they are done, as this can prevent prolonging mealtime battles.
Labelling food as “good” or “bad” can have a negative impact on a child’s perception of food. Instead, parents should focus on teaching balance and moderation. Providing a variety of foods and modeling healthy eating habits can help children build a positive relationship with different food options. Making mealtimes enjoyable and fun can also help shift the focus away from food itself and make the dining experience more pleasant for the child.
Parents should be mindful of fluctuations in their child’s appetite, as it is normal for appetites to vary. Responsive feeding, where children dictate how much they eat within a structured mealtime routine, is recommended. Getting children involved in meal preparation and exposing them to a variety of foods can help expand their palate and encourage them to be more adventurous eaters. By incorporating children in cooking activities and exposing them to a wide range of foods, parents can help foster healthy eating habits in their children
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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