Young children are fast learners, so it’s a wonderful time to help them develop healthy eating habits. With a little planning, you can give your preschooler more opportunities to grow and learn to make healthy eating choices.
Cami Wells
Here are tips:
Enjoy each other while enjoying family meals. Keep mealtime relaxed to nourish the body and help your family make stronger connections. Let your little ones select which foods to put on their plates and how much to eat from the healthy choices you provide.
Feed their independent spirit at mealtimes. Each meal with your preschoolers is a chance to help them grow and learn to make decisions on their own. Encourage them to make their own food choices from the healthy foods you offer.
Let go a little to gain a lot. It’s natural for parents to worry about their preschoolers’ eating habits. Offer healthy foods and let your kids choose from them. They’ll be more likely to enjoy mealtimes and eat enough, so everyone is happier.
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Think beyond a single meal. Keep in mind what your child eats over time. Meals and healthy snacks give children chances every day to eat a variety of foods. If your child eats only a little or nothing at one meal, don’t worry. He’ll make up for it with other meals and snacks to get what he needs for good health over time.
Sometimes new foods take time. Kids don’t always take to new foods right away. Offer new fruits and vegetables many times, served a variety of ways. Give your kids just a taste at first and be patient with them.
Patience works better than pressure. Offer your children new foods. Then, let them choose how much to eat. Kids are more likely to enjoy new foods when eating them is their own choice. It also teaches them how to be independent.
Let them learn by serving themselves. Let your kids serve themselves at dinner. Teach them to take small amounts at first. Assure them they can get more if they’re still hungry.
Involve the kids. As your preschoolers grow, let them help prepare, serve, and clean up after the meal. For example, kids can help by measuring, adding ingredients, stirring, washing veggies, etc. Kids learn by doing and being involved helps them be more confident and develop motor skills.
Easy No-Cook Salsa
Easy No-Cook Salsa
- 2 (14.5 ounces) cans diced tomatoes, drained
- 1/4 cup finely chopped green onion
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
- 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Wash hands with soap and water. Clean green onion and parsley or cilantro by rubbing gently under cold running water. Prepare as directed.
In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients until well mixed. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours.
Serve with your favorite raw vegetables or tortilla chips.
Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Makes 5 servings.
Nutrition information per serving (1/5 recipe): Calories 70, total fat 0g, saturated fat 0g, cholesterol 0mg, sodium 390mg, total carbohydrates 12g, total sugars 6g, 0g added sugars, protein 2g, vitamin d 0%, calcium 2%, iron 0%, potassium 10%.
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Cami Wells is an Extension Educator for Nebraska Extension in Hall County. Contact Cami by phone at 308-385-5088, by email at [email protected] or visit the Hall County website at www.hall.unl.edu
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