Most of us surely remember how we would get frequently scolded while growing up because of our eating habits. We’d grab whatever money we could get our hands on, and head directly to the store and waste every penny on candy. Then we would get terribly sick of course, but that never hindered our desire to munch on those high-calorie, zero-nutrient products. Our thirst for them was probably never quenched. The thing is, these unhealthy eating habits that we survived on as children are definitely the cause of our deteriorating physical and mental well being as adults.
The association of innutritious foods with hyperactivity in children is one of the most prominent facts about how your children’s eating habits are affecting them. Just read the ingredients on the labels of some of these foods. It shouldn’t take much effort to reach the conclusion that products that use food dyes and preservatives should be avoided. However, as creatures driven by nothing other than seeking immediate pleasure, children aren’t logical enough to come to that conclusion on their own. Therefore, as parents, the task of creating a habit of healthy eating in your children is your responsibility.
Here’s how to take care of that.
Creative presentation of organic food
The main reason why children have a relationship with healthy food similar to that of vampires with garlic, is the fact that healthy foods seem too bland. Take the astonishing advertisements for mainstream food products, for example. The fast food industry knows that the nutrients, taste and overall quality in their products aren’t potent enough to maintain a customer base. That’s why they advertise their products by focusing on an imaginary aspect of it, which is depicted in advertisements by happy personas consuming the product.
These personas are structured to make the children reflect the characters’ enthusiasm for the product, which otherwise lacks nutritional value. But it’s not hard to make nutritious food appealing to children, especially with the right recipes and high-quality succulent meats. There are a few services that sell delicious organic food. The site https://cleaversorganic.com.au/ will definitely help you fend off this dilemma you may have with your children, because they know how to present their organic meals in a way that appeals to younger individuals and adults alike. By buying organic products and presenting the food in a more appealing manner, you will make your children’s eating experience much more interesting.
Incentive programs
This is actually one of the most effective ways to easily crack through a child’s sweet tooth, and have them eat more nutritious foods. The reason why this method works so well is due to the malleability of children’s brains; their reward system is much more adaptive and interchangeable than those that can be used on adults. You could achieve this by many approaches, one of which is a reward chart. Charts provide straightforward affirmations of healthy behaviors, and allow you to keep track of the dietary preferences of your child.
Give your child a brownie point or reward if they finish their meals, or try a new dish that they normally wouldn’t eat, and praise them once they reach a specific goal. This transforms the process of trying new things into a productive, reward-backed activity. Other incentive options may include letting them eat some of their favorite junk food after an amount of time of eating only healthy food. You’ll come to realize that by time, they won’t even miss their previous diet because of the improvement they’ll start to notice themselves.
Subtle food bridging
While the previous approach is definitely a favorite amongst many, food bridging can be a more subtle technique that can prove to be a little more convenient to the parent and child. Children are much more dominant in parent-child discussions than their parents. They are loud, irrational, and they can unleash their strongest weapon: their tears. That’s why some parents choose this method, since with this stealthy approach, they don’t have to argue with their child’s logic when it comes to food.
Food bridges are about adding healthy components to your child’s favorite meals. For example, if your child loves cheese, try putting some orange slices or carrots on top. You may soon find that, bit by bit, the additional components on their unhealthy main dish can soon be served alone.
There is nothing more incremental to your child’s well-being than their dietary preferences. As the famous Arabic proverb says: a healthy mind lives in a healthy body. Children’s health is governed by a combination of healthy meals, enough sleep, and exercising, so make sure that they pair their healthy diets with a good night’s sleep and an active lifestyle.
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