Shaping Young Tastes
A child's lifelong eating habits are typically developed between the ages of one and three. This is the age when toddlers begin exporing solid foods, and it's also an important time for parents to ensure they are giving their kids the right kinds of food to taste. Introducing young eaters to fresh foods will help children develop an appreciation for both the taste of these foods and their ability to satisfy hunger. Continued exposure to foods that are unsalted and unsweetened helps children develop a preference for natural flavors. This preference is strengthened not just by what children eat, but by what they see. When parents eat the same fresh, natural foods they feed their children, they're not just setting a good example, they're developing healthy eating habits in their children - habits that will last a lifetime.
Raise a Grazer
While most parents grew up eating three meals a day and having to finish everything on their plate, this philosophy might not be the healthiest one for their children. A child's stomach is roughly the size of their fist, so the amount of food it takes to fill their stomach is less than the amount they can carry in their hand. However, this small amount of food doesn't provide sufficient amounts of nourishment for the kind of prolonged periods of activity that are normal for children, so it's important for themm to learn to become grazers and eat small meals or snacks several times a day. By nibbling on fresh, healthy mini-meals, children will learn that they don't have to stuff themselves to be satisfied. They'll also learn that by working with their natural digestive system, instead of against it, they are happier, healthier, and smarter. Isn't that what every parent wants for their children? |
