Promoting Healthy Food Habit

Many food habits are formed during youth and closely linked to the natural environment in which people live. In other words, the child learns food habits in the environment in which he is brought up, from parents, siblings and other children in the home and the school. The food habits we form as children can affect our health for the rest of our lives. For this reason, parents should encourage positive food habits for each family member.

It is our responsibility as parents, teachers, nutritionists and society as a whole to encourage healthy eating habits among kids. There are several important things we can do to encourage healthy eating habits in children.

• Be a role model - First of all, parents act as role models, modeling food choices and eating habits. Children watch what you are eating, so to be a good role model for them, try to give up some of the junk food you are used to having in your pantry such as packets of biscuits or bags of crisps.
• Regular family meals - Eating regular family meals helps the parents to catch up with their children and to figure out what children are actually eating.
• Eat breakfast - Make sure you and your children start the day right with a well-balanced meal.
• Provide healthy snacks - Snacks are an important part of your child's daily food intake. There are many healthy snack alternatives these days, so finding one that is both nutritious and tasty should not be a problem. Keep plenty of fruits and raw vegetables, yoghurt, celery, and crackers on hand.