There is no one safe guarded secret to feeding a healthy child. For most of us, as mothers, it expresses trouble. Trouble eating, trouble with feeding, and trouble with cooking. Getting kids to eat is anything but enjoyable. As mothers we set such high expectations for feeding our children what is "good" for them. What I realized over time is that the secret to feeding kids is to love food, and sharing that love with them. To teach them the framework of knowledge, habit, attitude, and necessity - all the perspectives that go into eating and enjoying what you eat.
As a mother, the predominant attitude about eating is "Don't". "Don't eat too many chocolates. Don't eat too much junk. Don't eat too much fat". So much of time is spent is thinking about avoiding than eating! A friend told me once, "Getting good nutrition is not about taking fun out of eating". I quite agree. In today's world, we manipulate food only for the sole purpose of feeding our children. We supply them with so much "healthy", and end up raising kids that have shorter lists of foods they enjoy, and eat precisely what suits them.
Truth be told, we all eat what we like. Same is true for children. More often than not, kids loose food acceptance skills when they get more interference than support. We need to instill in them the desire to consistently eat a variety of foods than just foods that are branded "healthy".In my opinion, we should allow kids to choose from what they'd like to eat rather than pushing it down their throat, even if it is just one food choice they make from what is served on the table.
You give them the liberty to choose if they'd like to eat or not, and as much as they want.(Maybe reward them if they eat without a fuss, later!)Also, the biggest backbone of eating competence lies in being structured. Sit-down meals than eating on the go is one of them. Or absent-mindedly snack or nibble on foods when hunger drives you to it. Or eating at irregular intervals. Kids need to be taught the essential framework in eating well - to eat at regular and predictable mealtimes, and to take the time to tune in and enjoy the food they eat.
Bribing isn't the best practice when it comes to mealtimes with kids, either. Bribing or forcing them to wipe off their plate or making them eat certain foods will only ignite a more power struggle over food. They may also pair mealtimes with anger and frustration and become less sensitive to their hunger cues. Also, no begging or cajoling. It is healthy food, good for the, and tastes equally well. Period. If they curious, explain why the food is healthy and making conscious, good eating choices is important for their growth and overall development. If they put up a fight, stay calm. Don't push them, but firmly let them know that it's okay for them to not eat, but the food they are served is all they will get(for that time), and that you will dish out their favorite meal for next time.
You are the best role model for your child Parenting experts say that kids pick up behavioral patterns of what they observe than what they are told. If they see you consistently choosing healthy ingredients over their counterparts, they are more likely to start choosing it,too. The trick of the trade is to make eating and trying new foods a game than a punishment. The victory isn't in inducing a tearful child to finish or eat what they don't like, but raising self-aware kids who choose healthy food and even healthier habits by their own free will.
Honestly, there are no goods or bads, no rights or wrongs - only baby steps of what works for you and your child. Steps that make feeding them one of the most rewarding attempts we undertake. If you are going to take all the trouble of keeping up with the daily routine of cooking meals, it might as well be enriching and rewarding. (The juice has to positively be worth the squeeze!)
