HELLO STEEMIT COMMUNITY.....
Trust today has been a great day for all us. Here is another great piece I have for you today. Do stay relaxed and get some hints as to having your kids start a good eating habits early in life.
It doesn’t matter how well intentioned you are, it’s easy to let your child slip into bad eating habits. It usually starts with a fussy eater – a child who won’t eat the healthy foods you offer – or the fact that you are busy and it’s easy to grab a fast-food takeaway or prepare a kilojoule-laden, fat-rich supper. Good eating habits should start early so that a child is less inclined to want to eat "bad" foods.
1. BREASTFEEDING
It is now widely accepted that a baby should be exclusively breastfed until the age of between four and six months, when most are developmentally ready to have their first taste of “solid” food. It is also when a baby’s natural stores of iron begin to deplete, and so it is necessary to supplement them with food.
2. FIRST FOODS
The most popular first baby food is a single-grain, iron fortified cereal, such as rice or oatmeal, which boosts a baby’s iron intake, and is easy to digest. Prepare the cereal by mixing it with a little breast milk or baby formula. In addition to baby cereal, you can start your baby on pureed fruits and vegetables. It doesn’t matter what you choose, just make sure you offer a variety but not too many at once. It is best to make your own by steaming the fruit or vegetable, which retains more nutrients than boiling, and then pureeing in a food processor or with a masher.
Good first-food choices include: carrot, sweet potatoes, butternut, avocado, banana, peach and apple. Don’t assume your baby doesn’t like a food if he pulls a funny face; it’s a reaction to the new taste and texture. Some experts say you should offer a baby a food 15 times before accepting that he or she does not like it.
3. TODDLER TAMING
As a baby becomes a toddler, offer a greater variety of foods and allow the child to explore and play with food. Watching a child squash and tear food may not be very charming, but it’s all part of the journey of discovery. Remember to avoid serving excessively salty, sugary or fatty foods, or your child will want all foods to taste that way.
4. KNOW YOUR NUTRIENTS
Encourage your child to help you prepare and present food, and explain the nutritional contents of each dish. The more they know about the value of good food, the more likely they are to want to eat it.
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5. PORTION CONTROL
Don’t give your child excessively large portions of food and expect them to clear their plate. Reasonable portion control should start early. Five small meals a day is easier for a child to manage than three large platefuls of food.
6. STRIVE FOR FIVE
Encourage your child to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day. Avoid boxed juices and processed meals, and choose the wholefood option.
Thanks for reading. Am sure this piece has added some values to your day today. If Yes! would like you to Reesteem for the benefits of other steemians out there.
One Great Family we are!
