Eating habits
Healthy eating is especially important for children to make sure they get all the nutrients they need to grow. And helping your kids eat well now will make them more likely to eat well as they get older.
Eating well and being active every day can also help kids maintain a healthy weight. In Canada, overweight and obesity among children and teens is increasing. Health problems related to being overweight are now happening at a much earlier age. And being overweight or obese later in life increases the risk of certain cancers.
Tips
- Set regular times for meals and healthy snacks. Kids tend to snack more when there’s no real schedule and are more likely to reach for sugary treats.
- Plan to eat at least one meal together as a family every day. If this seems impossible with a busy activity schedule, be creative. You can have a picnic after a game or practice. Or set aside one night a week as family dinner night.
- Make healthy eating choices yourself. Children learn by watching you.
- Encourage your child to eat slowly. When we eat too quickly, our body thinks it needs more food to feel full.
- Grow some vegetables of your own and let the kids help. Container gardening is easy and the kids will get to eat what they grow.
- Visit a local farmers’ market to check out what’s in season. It’s a good way to learn about where your food comes from and get some fresh produce at the same time.
- Get the kids involved when you’re cooking. They can help with simple tasks like washing the vegetables, stirring chili or putting toppings on pizza.
- Sign the kids up for cooking classes if they really show an interest in the kitchen. Major grocery stores and local community centres in many cities offer special classes.
- Be patient. You may have to introduce your kids to a new food many times before they decide to try it.
- Remind kids to drink fluids.Young children are at a higher risk of becoming dehydrated. Encourage kids to drink water often throughout the day.