How can I encourage my child to eat better?
Tags
wristbands wristband how to encourage a child to eat healthy foods encourage child to eat better custom lunch box

Knowing how to encourage a child to eat healthy foods — and enough of them — can be a real challenge for parents.

But if you can introduce your child to great eating habits at an early age, this will set them up for life.

In this post, we share our tips to encourage your child to eat better. All are simple and achievable actions that you can start today!

1. Provide choice

Children of all ages, from toddlers through to teens, have the capacity to resist choices made for them.

So turn it around and try setting up a buffet-type meal a couple of times a week, offering a range of healthy food that they can select themselves. This will make them feel more proactive and in control of their choices.

You could also involve your kids in meal planning and welcome suggestions from them for healthy food ideas.

2. Introduce healthy foods with popular options

If you want to introduce a new healthy food to your child, you’ll have more success if you pair it with an option they already like.

So to get them to try a different vegetable, mix it in with their favourite mac and cheese or add it to an omelette.

Or you could introduce new healthy dips, like tzatziki or mashed avocado, with items they are already familiar with — for example, breadsticks or crackers.

3. Be sensible with snacks

Managing the quantity and quality of your child’s snacks will help them eat better and healthier at meal times.

Try to avoid offering snacks too close to dinnertime. If your child is pestering you for something to eat, offer them a small taste of whatever is on the menu for dinner to whet their appetite.

During the day, give your child healthy snacks high in protein and fibre to keep them fuller for longer. Try these ideas for nutritious, filling snacks:

  • Apple slices with peanut butter
  • Nuts
  • Fresh or dried fruit
  • Hard-boiled egg
  • Veggie sticks with hummus
  • Wholegrain crackers with cheese

4. Involve your child in cooking

Most young kids enjoy learning new practical skills, and that includes cooking. And they’re more likely to try a new or healthy dish if they’ve helped make it.

While the cooking process may be slower (and messier!), your child will enjoy measuring out and mixing ingredients and understanding how a meal comes together, as well as eating it afterwards!

5. Make it personal

Personalising your child’s eating experience will make it more fun and appealing. So look for accessories like a custom lunch box personalised with your child’s name to help them feel excited about the contents.

Drink bottles can also be personalised to encourage your child to keep hydrated throughout the day.

Personalised cutlery and crockery is also a great motivator for getting your child to eat up.

6. Set a good example

Children naturally emulate their parents and carers, so make sure you set a good example by eating healthily too.

Eating together is one way of instilling good habits into your children, as well as teaching them about the nutritional content of food in a simple way.

7. Offer rewards

Offer rewards to your child for trying new foods or making healthy choices, and you’ll motivate and inspire them.

Some children respond well to reward charts and stickers, or you could offer your child extra play or screen time in exchange for healthy eating.

Another fun reward that your child will love is motivational wristbands. Offer them a wristband every time they hit a healthy eating goal and let them build up their own collection.

Or you could have wristbands personalised with special messages as a reward for planning, cooking, and eating healthy meals.

Silicone wristbands are a perfect choice, as they come in a rainbow of colours, can be customised with any message you like, and are hygienic and hard-wearing.

Gift your child a healthy lifestyle

Setting good habits is a gift to your child, helping them to lead a healthy lifestyle now and in the future.

By making one or two small changes at a time, you can start building the foundations for a lifetime of great choices.

To help you achieve this, take a look at our collection of customisable wristbands in a wide range of attractive colours — designed to motivate and inspire your child.

And for more facts, tips, and advice, check out these “healthy eating for children” guidelines on the Healthdirect website.