It’s no secret that children can be such picky eaters. As a parent, you may have struggled to get your child to eat their vegetables or finish their dinner. While picky eating is normal behaviour for children, it can be a cause for concern if your child is not really getting the nutrients they need. But luckily, there are a few ways that parents can help influence their child’s eating habits so that they grow into healthy individuals.

Make Eating Together as a Family a Norm in Your Household

It’s no secret that parents play a big role in shaping their child’s eating habits. From the food they put on the table to the way they eat themselves, parents set the tone for how their kids will develop their own relationship with food.

One of the most important things parents can do to influence their child’s eating habits is to make eating together as a family unit a norm in their household. Studies have shown that kids who eat with their families tend to eat more fruits and vegetables, and less junk food, than kids who don’t.

There are a few reasons why eating together as a family can have such a positive impact on kids’ eating habits. For one, it gives parents a chance to model healthy eating behaviour for their kids. When kids see their parents making healthy choices and enjoying good food, they’re more likely to do the same.

Eating together as a family also provides an opportunity for parents to teach their kids about nutrition. When kids are involved in planning meals and preparing them, they’re more likely to eat the foods they helped to make. And when parents take the time to explain why certain foods are good for them, kids are more likely to develop positive attitudes toward those foods.

Avoid Using Food as a Punishment or Reward

While using food as a form of discipline or reward may seem like a harmless way to motivate your child, it can actually have a negative impact on their eating habits and their relationship with food.

When food is used as a punishment, it can give children the message that certain foods are “bad” and should be avoided. This can lead to a lifetime of negative associations with certain foods and can make it more difficult for children to make healthy food choices.

Similarly, using food as a reward can create a “good vs. bad” dichotomy when it comes to food. This can lead children to believe that some foods are “treats” that should only be eaten on special occasions, while other foods are “healthy” and should be eaten more often.

Using food as a reward or punishment can make it difficult for children to develop a healthy relationship with food and can potentially lead to unhealthy eating habits later in life.

Make Healthy Foods More Accessible to Your Kids

There are many things that parents can do to encourage their children to eat healthy foods. One of the most important is to make healthy foods more accessible to them.

If healthy foods are easily available to children, they are more likely to eat them. This means keeping a well-stocked pantry and fridge with healthy snacks and meals.

It also means making sure that healthy foods are served at mealtimes and are easily within reach. If children have to search for healthy foods, they are less likely to eat them.

If parents want their kids to eat healthy foods, they need to make sure that those foods are easily accessible and appealing. By setting a good example and teaching their children about nutrition, they can help their children develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.

Final Thoughts

It is evident that parents have a significant influence on their children’s eating habits. This is due to the fact that parents are the primary caretakers and role models for their children. Therefore, it is important for parents to be aware of their own eating habits and how they may impact their children.  If parents want their children to eat healthy foods, they should model healthy eating habits and create a healthy food environment at home.

Help your child develop better eating habits with Prep’d Fresh. We prepare and deliver healthy food in Oakville and its surrounding areas. You can choose from a variety of healthy, ready-to-eat meals every week and have them delivered right to your door every Monday. Order now!