Whether you are a childcare provider or a grandparent enjoying time with the grandchild or a tired parent juggling childcare with work, you need a few tricks to keep the children healthy. Loved ones definitely know that healthy eating habits now means a lifetime of better health, there are many ways you can use to teach children how to eat healthily. Here are a few helpful guides for parents on looking to improve your child’s eating habits.^{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

Make sure you understand what good nutrition looks like

From low carbohydrates high fat & protein diets to raw fruits and vegetable routines, diets come in many different names. Whatever it is, as long as the diet contains a balance of proteins, healthy fats, quality carbohydrates, fibers, vitamins and minerals that support children’s growing bodies, it is a good diet. Remember that the closer the finished product is to the original source, the more nutrients it retains, i.e. Boiled potatoes versus potato chips for fiber. Minimally processed vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, lean proteins, and natural butters & oils automatically qualify.^{1, 2} If you worried about food not covering their nutritional needs, you can consult with a pediatrician to look for complete balanced child nutrition supplement options (eg. Pediasure 3+, available in Ready to Drink liquid, no. 1 Pediatrician Recommended Brand in the USA⁶).

Don’t Ban Snacks, Know your Healthy Swaps

A common mistake parents make when trying to get their child to eat healthy is banning snacks, sweets, and treats. In reality, do not ban sweets or food types, just research and modify recipes with healthier swaps. Provide real fruit juice with pulp for fiber and nutrient retention to replace sodas and popular junk food drinks. Choose to cook with natural plant or dairy butter or olive oil instead of vegetable oil. To avoid over snacking and ruining appetite for actual meals, schedule in snack sessions and only allow it at the dinner table. Also, instead of handing your child the whole container or bag, portion it out in appropriate servings.^{3, 4}

Take the stress out of getting kids to eat healthy

Try to plan your meals 7 days’ worth at a time and set a planning date which includes grocery shopping with a list. Routine and consistency are key when it comes to building a healthy relationship with food in your children. Start their day with a hearty breakfast as it helps them maintain focus throughout the day and when it comes down to it, follow the Healthy Plate model for the other meals. Depending on your child’s age, gender, and size, the portions will differ, but the principle of the plate to consist of ½ plate of fruits and vegetables, ¼ plate of grains & starches, and ¼ plate of proteins stays the same. Once you understand your child’s hunger cues, you can take the steps to improve healthy eating habits.^{3, 5}

The nurturing skills you develop as a parent provide an excellent foundation to build upon. You control the quality of food and children build off of what they see you do. But if you are ever worried that your child’s diet is too limiting, the new and improved complete balanced child nutrition supplement Pediasure 3+ can help. PediaSure 3+ comes enhanced with Arginine, Natural Vitamin K2 in the 37 nutrients formulation to help support your child in achieving optimal growth potential.^^ And for parent’s convenience, the classic Pediasure 3+ is available in Ready to Drink liquid format in child favorite flavors of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. This is so that your child will never miss a growing moment even while snacking.

If you would like to try before going for the full course, visit Pediasure Myanmar today to sign up for free samples.

To make sure your child develops healthy eating habits, start them at a young. Instead of just telling, show them how to be healthy. Involve them in making choices and do not make a habit of making some foods the enemy. By doing these things, it can help your child develop a healthy relationship with food for a lifetime of good habits. Remember that though you cannot control how much they eat, you can control what they eat (eg. healthy swaps and nutritional alternatives like Pediasure 3+ instead of fast-food shakes). Here are 3 good practices to keep in mind when guiding your child through ways of developing healthy eating habits.^{1, 6}

Be the guide, not the dictator

Some parents fall into the habit of using the “I’m the parent, don’t question me” statement to make their child eat. This may work for a while, but run the risk of having your child develop a bad relationship with food. A parent’s unhealthy attitudes with food can get very easily passed down to their children. For this reason, it’s never too early to start modeling healthy-eating habits so that your children may follow suit. Make a wide variety of healthy options available in the house and nothing is considered off limits, but are available for occasional treats.^{1, 2}

Plan for Snacks

When you plan for snacks at specific times of the day, you can control your child’s hunger ques without spoiling the actual meal. Snack time is also a great time to include the items that did not get included during the mains and it is an opportunity to have them be healthy. Children love snack time and they will respond better to food if they have a bit of say in it. Without disallowing the occasional handful of chips or a few cookies, have many varieties of fruits, low-fat yogurts, peanut butter jelly sandwiches and whole-grain crackers with cheese. You may even have fruits prepped in easy to eat slices or cubes. Children will most likely eat what is available, so it is within a parent’s power to limit the options of sweets and fast foods in the household.^{3, 4}

Believe in your child’s likes and dislikes  

Your child knows their own appetite and likes or dislikes. Forcing them to clean their plate will only further distance them from that item. You have to accept the fact that your child may request the same favorite item over and over again, while it is like tug of war with others. Kids love making decisions and providing alternatives to their dislikes is a great way to get them to try new foods. You may not be able to control the quantity they eat, but you most definitely can control the quality.^{3, 5}

Developing good habits takes time and that is why it is important to always look for ways to incorporate healthy options into daily meals. Good eating habits now will possibly lead to a lifetime of healthier choices for your child. But when food alone is not enough, a complete balanced child nutrition supplement like Pediasure 3+ can help. PediaSure 3+ has been formulated with 37 vital nutrients, including Arginine and Natural Vitamin K2 to support catch-up growth in children who need it.^^ Pediasure 3+ can be served as a snack, with meals, or as per Pediatrician’s directions.

If you would like to try before going for the full course, visit Pediasure Myanmar today to sign up for free samples.