It
can be hard making sure your children are eating healthy fresh food at the best
of times, let alone when you are both busy working parents. We can’t always be
there to see what our kids are eating, but we can make sure they are eating
healthily when we are not around.
Children
that eat healthily are known to have better energy, stabilised moods and
increased brain activity. A healthy child is most definitely a happy child.
When
your children are at playgroup we can make sure that we send with them a good
nutritious packed lunch or snacks. Fruits and wholegrain snacks (an apple and a
cereal bar maybe) are great for packed lunches or snacks. Water or pure fruit
juices are a nice beverage for them to sip on too throughout the day. Water
keeps their bodies and minds hydrated and working at their peak, it also lowers
the risk of urine or bladder infections, Things that are not fun when you are a
toddler! Ask your child what they
would like to take with them. Maybe a lot of kids at nursery take grapes but
your child takes an apple, they might want to try grapes for their lunch one
day.
Limit
portion size. Don’t make your child eat a whole plate of food if they do not
want to. If they are full up, they are full up. Making a child eat when they do
not want to may encourage obesity or over feeding. Remember to never use food
as a reward or a bribe either. This sort of behaviour encourages naughty
behaviour if they do not get what they want, or they may use it against you.
Stick to healthy fun foods for snacks and treats.
If
your little ones spend a lot of time with babysitters, and you want them to
have a nice yummy dinner when you are not around, why not make things easy (and
healthy) for your kids by giving them a healthy option ready meal. Many people
doubt and disbelieve that there are actually any healthy ready meals out there
but there are! Make sure you
choose a meal that does not contain too much salt, is prepared with fresh
vegetables and is low fat. A nice hearty Sheppard’s pie, or children’s
favourite Sausage and mash! These ready meals are quick and easy to prepare,
and it means you have peace of mind that your little one has eaten a nice
hearty dinner. Meals on Wheels are not just for the elderly, anyone can have meals on wheels style
dinners delivered to their door. Services like this are great for working mums
and dads who perhaps need a little help when feeding the kids when busy.
Teach
your children to cook healthy meals from a young age. This is a much needed
life skill and makes food that are maybe seen as a bit ‘boring’ because they
are good for you a lot more fun! Spend time together in the kitchen. Maybe make
Sunday a ‘Family Cooking Day’. Let your kids invent and design a new healthy
recipe, then cook it and eat it together!
This is a sponsored post by James Newhouse who writes for Oakhouse Foods - delivering fresh groceries, toiletries, home
ware and frozen ready meals to your door.
