Eating

Eating
Sleeping
Crying
Toilet Training
Biting, Hitting, Bullying
Tantrums
Sharing
Attention Deficit Disorder
Discipline

Eating

Children have a remarkable ability to regulate their caloric intake. If they don't eat enough at one meal, they will compensate for it at another meal. Parents should not try to coerce their children to eat. They should set a time for meals and give their children healthy foods.

The key to children eating nutritious meals is to set a good example. If parents provide nutritious, well-balanced meals and snacks children will get used to eating those foods. The more familiar the foods, the more likely they will accept those foods.

Essentially, children eat what their parents eat. Make a wide variety of nutritious foods available to children. Be creative and do not force food on children who do not want to eat. Five snack meals spread through the day are healthier than three heavy meals.

Don't buy snacks with little nutritional value, such as candy, chips, and soft drinks. Instead, provide a wide assortment of healthy snacks, such as fruits, vegetables, whole-grain bread, and crackers, and high-protein foods such as cheese and peanut butter. Also, snacks with varied colors, shapes, and textures tend to be more acceptable to children.

Telling a child to eat a food "because it's good for you" will not help because this is meaningless to a child. Instead, involve your children in meal planning. Set some limits, but allow children to help shop for and prepare the food. This will increase their interest at meal and snack times.

Also, avoid using food - particularly desserts - as a reward. This will only encourage inappropriate eating behavior and could lead to a weight problem later on in childhood. Nor should food -- its availability or withdrawal -- be used as a punishment.

Teach your children to listen to their bodies, and they will eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full.

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If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance to keep up to date with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 to order your copies today.

© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.

Eating Sleeping Crying Toilet Training Biting, Hitting, Bullying Tantrums Sharing Attention Deficit Disorder Discipline		Eating Children have a remarkable ability to regulate their caloric intake. If they don't eat enough at one meal, they will compensate for it at another meal. Parents should not try to coerce their children to eat. They should set a time for meals and give their children healthy foods. The key to children eating nutritious meals is to set a good example. If parents provide nutritious, well-balanced meals and snacks children will get used to eating those foods. The more familiar the foods, the more likely they will accept those foods. Essentially, children eat what their parents eat. Make a wide variety of nutritious foods available to children. Be creative and do not force food on children who do not want to eat. Five snack meals spread through the day are healthier than three heavy meals. Don't buy snacks with little nutritional value, such as candy, chips, and soft drinks. Instead, provide a wide assortment of healthy snacks, such as fruits, vegetables, whole-grain bread, and crackers, and high-protein foods such as cheese and peanut butter. Also, snacks with varied colors, shapes, and textures tend to be more acceptable to children. Telling a child to eat a food "because it's good for you" will not help because this is meaningless to a child. Instead, involve your children in meal planning. Set some limits, but allow children to help shop for and prepare the food. This will increase their interest at meal and snack times. Also, avoid using food - particularly desserts - as a reward. This will only encourage inappropriate eating behavior and could lead to a weight problem later on in childhood. Nor should food -- its availability or withdrawal -- be used as a punishment. Teach your children to listen to their bodies, and they will eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full.
		COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES & INFECTIONS \| YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT PARENTING CHALLENGES \| RESOURCES AND INFORMATION \| ABOUT THIS PROGRAM BACK TO PRAIRIE PUBLIC TELEVISION \| RETURN TO PRAIRIEPUBLIC.ORG HOME PAGE
		Missed A Program? Healthworks on Videotape If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance to keep up to date with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 to order your copies today.
		© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.