Learn how to encourage little ones to eat well, without causing problems for their taste buds
The way of eating as a child – both in variety and in quality and quantity – is decisive for the behavior at the table in adult life. Research shows that taste is formed in childhood, so having a healthy relationship with food at this stage of life is essential.
“The first interactions with food bring consequences later, so if the child learns from an early age to relate positively to what he eats, he will have a serene relationship with the act of eating for life”, evaluates the Doctorate in Nutrition, Sophie Deram.
Educating the child to taste is one of the main ways to prevent childhood and adult obesity. According to data from the Ministry of Health, 12.9% of Brazilian children aged 5 to 9 live with obesity. The same study points out that overweight children are 75% more likely to be obese teens and that, among obese teens, there is an 89% chance of becoming obese adults.
“Many parents turn to me for advice on getting their children to eat well, usually because they face difficulties such as refusal of food or selectivity. My first advice is that parents try to make peace with food on their own. and have time to devote to feeding their children, especially in the food introduction phase – which generally starts around 6 months and goes up to around 12 months. , they need to be aligned with all carers, “he says.
Expert advice for children’s taste buds
1) Invest in variety
Offer fresh and homemade food, with the widest variety possible and trying to make them attractive on the plate. “Children can be encouraged, from an early age, to try everything healthily, always including daily foods from different food groups – vegetables, legumes, fruits, grains,” she teaches.
The ideal, according to the nutritionist, is to assemble a weekly menu contemplating different types of cereals, proteins, vegetables, vegetables. “If today the child has eaten chicken, carrots, broccoli and brown rice, for example, tomorrow the caregiver offers fish, chickpeas and other types of vegetables, thus creating a rich and diversified palate”, says the specialist.
2) Stimulates the 5 senses, not just taste
Another important tip, according to the PhD in Nutrition, is to let the child explore the food freely. “Vegetables and meat should be cut into pieces, in safe cuts so that there is no choking, and offered so that the child can hold them with his hands, smell, taste and texture,” she suggests. .
Parents often worry too much about dirt and clutter in the kitchen, but this exploration phase is very important. “Give your baby this opportunity, it will be decisive for his good nutrition in the future,” she teaches.
3) Avoid distractions at the table
A common mistake between parents and guardians is to resort to distractions in an attempt to make the child accept food more easily. According to the nutritionist, this is a big trap, because the child begins to associate that distraction (be it TV, tablet, loud music) with the time of the meal, and therefore it will be difficult to realize this dissociation on the palate.
“Don’t resort to this kind of artifice. And don’t despair if your baby doesn’t eat everything he is offered, or even if some days he shows disinterest in food. This is natural and part of the process, worry more about variety and of the quality of what is offered than of the quantity that the child eats “, fine.
4) Create a peaceful and pleasant environment
Where a baby eats and how he feels during meals is another crucial factor in taste. “The environment and context in which the meals are offered must be respected. It is important that the child feels comfortable, so make sure that the food is offered in a suitable place. And if there are factors that cause irritation. There they are children who do not like high chairs, for example, in this case, it might be more interesting to offer meals on a child’s table “, he teaches.
Another point to watch out for is how noisy or crowded the environment is. “If there is a lot of stimulation (TV on, even if in the background, many people passing by or talking), the child can get distracted and leave the food aside,” she says.
5) Don’t push too hard and be patient
Pressuring the child to eat, getting nervous about rejection or pushing too hard are mistakes that only get in the way of the process. This makes mealtime stressful and can even create trauma.
“You need to use and abuse patience, have creativity and a good mood, using words of encouragement. Maintaining eye contact and talking to the child also helps a lot. This makes it easier to tell when the child is satisfied and when they still seem interested in the child. food, “he reflects.
Promoting nutrition education and disciplining a child’s taste buds is no easy task, says Sophie. “It is a job that requires dedication, but very rewarding. Think that, in the future, you will save your child from various problems related to food and make him a happy adult. Raising a child in peace with food is the best thing. mother or father can offer “, he concludes.
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Source: Terra
Benjamin Smith is a fashion journalist and author at Gossipify, known for his coverage of the latest fashion trends and industry insights. He writes about clothing, shoes, accessories, and runway shows, providing in-depth analysis and unique perspectives. He’s respected for his ability to spot emerging designers and trends, and for providing practical fashion advice to readers.
