Are you tired of following grueling diet plans for your kid, trying to balance the carbs and protein intake? Do you get fed up of constantly facing failure in this regard? Adults often try to mediate mealtimes by bribing the kids with the promise of a cookie upon tasting a new vegetable or committing to extra screen time, as a reward for clearing up their plate.
However, this interference of yours undermines the innate ability of your kids to eat intuitively. You will often observe kids creating havoc at dinner time, overturning food platters- and yet at times, they would come barging in your room reporting hunger and demanding snacks. This might make you fed up and you may feel as if you are unable to fulfill their required calorie intake. This is where you are at fault.
You, and your child, have an inbuilt system that connects their digestive systems and brains, which automatically signals the urge to eat when you feel hungry. Help little ones eat according to their appetite, so that they become healthy eaters rather than picky and cranky ones.
Offer them a variety of food to choose from that help develop their taste buds. The different colors and textures of vegetables, fruits, and beans will automatically attract your little one at some point in time. The key is being persistent, without being overbearing. Soon, you will discover that they will be filling their plates and eating according to their schedule.
If you are still unsure of your success rate, follow these key guidelines, and you’ll never go wrong.
– Never encourage mealtimes with rewards, because it conditions the brain into thinking of them as tasks or penalties.
– Avoid commenting on a child’s physique and appearance.
– Avoid bringing in your bodily insecurities in front of your children because that makes them overly conscious of body images from a young age.
– Focus on the health benefits of the food you are offering rather than the calorie count. Ensure that your child has access to all kinds of vitamins and minerals. However, at the same time, do not force them to eat food. Your child will eat at his own pace and mood.
– If your child is interested in eating independently, encourage them, and guide them rather than rebuking them for the mess they make. At a young age, the ability to feed themselves acts as an exciting activity for your toddlers and later turns them into independent eaters.
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