The importance of establishing healthy eating habits during childhood
It has been said that the long-term vitality of a nation depends on the wellbeing of its
children. Children are influenced by their care-takers especially when it comes to
their eating habits. This is why it is very important to start teaching children to eat
healthily from a young age. If a child's nutrition is deficient, it threatens their short and
long-term wellbeing.
What is the role of parents in helping children initiate healthy habits?
Parents play a significant role in enforcing healthy habits in children. The daily
recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for school children wavers between 1200-
1500 calories per day. Parents should make sure that children are consuming the
required amount of daily nutrients to keep healthy. It is important that parents help
children make healthy eating options by making available to them fruits and
vegetables instead of over processed snacks high in saturated fats and sugary
drinks. Parents can prepare a nutritious breakfast for their children. Eating breakfast
balances a child’s energy levels throughout the day and prevents it from overeating.
In addition, complimenting children on exposing positive behavior is necessary.
When a child for example, tries something healthy for the first time parents should
reward them in order to keep it motivated.
What are the benefits of having healthy eating habits?
A balanced diet is essential for a child’s physical and cognitive development. If a
child does not take up the essential minerals, vitamins and proteins, it is at a great
risk of contracting diseases. Another benefit of healthy eating habits is that children
can excel in school. Children are more concentrated at school when they have eaten
properly. In addition, their problem-solving skills become better. Ultimately, learning
how to make healthy choices will help a child throughout its life as the habits that one
acquires as a child become the basis of their choices as adults.
What about children that are picky eaters?
Studies have shown that over 50% of children are picky eaters. Some children have
an issue with the texture, the smell or the taste of certain foods. It is important not to
force children eating something they do not want to eat. Supporting children’s
independence in trying new foods is more effective than pressuring children to eat.
Repeated exposure to healthy foods matter because it is often the case that the child
needs to adapt into liking certain foods. Changing a child’s eating habits is not an
overnight task. It will take time for a child to change its habits so parents need to
persevere.
In conclusion, when a child gets the right nutrition, its overall health and well-being
are boosted. Childhood habits extend to adulthood and this is why it is important to
adopt good habits early on. As adults we sub-consciously follow habits that have
It has been said that the long-term vitality of a nation depends on the wellbeing of its
children. Children are influenced by their care-takers especially when it comes to
their eating habits. This is why it is very important to start teaching children to eat
healthily from a young age. If a child's nutrition is deficient, it threatens their short and
long-term wellbeing.
What is the role of parents in helping children initiate healthy habits?
Parents play a significant role in enforcing healthy habits in children. The daily
recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for school children wavers between 1200-
1500 calories per day. Parents should make sure that children are consuming the
required amount of daily nutrients to keep healthy. It is important that parents help
children make healthy eating options by making available to them fruits and
vegetables instead of over processed snacks high in saturated fats and sugary
drinks. Parents can prepare a nutritious breakfast for their children. Eating breakfast
balances a child’s energy levels throughout the day and prevents it from overeating.
In addition, complimenting children on exposing positive behavior is necessary.
When a child for example, tries something healthy for the first time parents should
reward them in order to keep it motivated.
What are the benefits of having healthy eating habits?
A balanced diet is essential for a child’s physical and cognitive development. If a
child does not take up the essential minerals, vitamins and proteins, it is at a great
risk of contracting diseases. Another benefit of healthy eating habits is that children
can excel in school. Children are more concentrated at school when they have eaten
properly. In addition, their problem-solving skills become better. Ultimately, learning
how to make healthy choices will help a child throughout its life as the habits that one
acquires as a child become the basis of their choices as adults.
What about children that are picky eaters?
Studies have shown that over 50% of children are picky eaters. Some children have
an issue with the texture, the smell or the taste of certain foods. It is important not to
force children eating something they do not want to eat. Supporting children’s
independence in trying new foods is more effective than pressuring children to eat.
Repeated exposure to healthy foods matter because it is often the case that the child
needs to adapt into liking certain foods. Changing a child’s eating habits is not an
overnight task. It will take time for a child to change its habits so parents need to
persevere.
In conclusion, when a child gets the right nutrition, its overall health and well-being
are boosted. Childhood habits extend to adulthood and this is why it is important to
adopt good habits early on. As adults we sub-consciously follow habits that have
