Inculcating eating well

HERE are some ways that parents can teach children about the importance of eating well and enjoying a varied diet.

Encourage them to eat their greens Researchers at Harvard University found that when school dinner vegetables were made more palatable, children ate up to 30% more.

So experimenting with different cooking methods and adding herbs and spices might help change children’s minds about eating their greens.

Eat together as a family A recent meta-analysis by a team of German researchers found that regularly eating together as a family helps pass healthy eating habits onto children.

According to the study, it is not just the quality of the meal which sets a healthy attitude towards food, but also factors such as a pleasant atmosphere at meal times that can improve eating habits.

Take time for meals As well as eating together as a family, studies also suggest that taking time to eat also encourages healthier eating habits, compared to rushing meals.

According to a study from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, when a child has less than 20 minutes to eat, they are less likely to eat a balanced meal.

Get children involved in food By getting children involved in all aspects of food, not just eating it, parents can help them develop a healthy interest in what they eat, and encourage them to make more nutritious food choices.

Experts say that parents and children should cook together, go grocery shopping together, and read food labels to learn the nutritional value of their food.

Planting a garden could also give children an appreciation for vegetables, as well as giving families some quality time together. – AFP-Relaxnews