Positively influence children's eating habits

How parents achieve a healthy eating behavior of the children

04/15/2014

Small children often have a difficult eating habits that can bring the parents to the brink of desperation. The superior food is denied and the requirements for a balanced diet can hardly be implemented. The Foundation for Child Health has therefore given in a recent press release important tips on the diet of one to three-year-olds and the common meal in the family.

The pediatrician Professor Dr. med. Berthold Koletzko, chairman of the Foundation for Child Health, explained that „Especially between the ages of one and three, it is enormously important for children to explore the diversity of food and to experience the taste of different foods with all their senses.“ Many parents would miss out on the right time for eating together and thus miss the best phase for establishing good eating habits. Accordingly, the children often develop a so-called selective eating behavior during the transition from mother's milk or vials to solid foods. They would like to eat the same thing every day, for example, noodles are usually very popular.

No special food needed after the first birthday
The data of the foundation child health are currently in Germany „Eighty to ninety-five percent of children aged twelve months are still fed on bottled food and porridges“ and „even at the age of 24 months, it is still 23 to 33 percent.“ Here the experts see a connection with the occurrence of later problems with eating behavior. Children need „at the latest after the first birthday no special products anymore“ and „they can eat almost anything at the end of infancy, and should do so too“, explained Professor Koletzko. The exception are nuts and other hard foods in „peanut size“, where small children can easily swallow.

Regular rhythm of meals
On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) financially supported nationwide communication network „Healthy in life - Network Young Family“ Paediatricians, nutrition experts, educators and sports scientists have developed the current recommendations for the diet of one to three year olds. You should „Helping families with young children develop a healthy lifestyle“, reports the Foundation for Child Health. First of all, a regular rhythm of the meals is especially important for the infants, for example during the course of the day three main meals and two smaller snacks.

No snacks in between
„Meals that are clearly started and stopped give the child's daily routine an important structure“, so the announcement of the foundation. In addition, mealtimes and seasons for the child should be understandable and clearly separated. Also, the little ones would learn that way „Not every need for food needs to be satisfied immediately, and that it can be postponed in favor of meals.“ For this reason, snacks and sugary drinks should not be offered during the meal breaks for two to three hours. This also applies to milk. Water, however, the child can eat at any time, reports the Foundation for Child Health.

Avoid distraction while eating
At meals, distractions should be avoided as much as possible, according to the notification of the Foundation for Child Health, „Therefore please no cell phone calls and no television while eating“, emphasized the metabolism specialist of the University Children's Hospital Munich, Professor Koletzko. According to the expert, is „Eating together is much more than just feeding, it is also food for the soul.“ For the family meal offers the best opportunity for a relaxed conversation. The parents have time to engage with the children, to give them attention and to experience family life in the literal sense of the word. „A friendly atmosphere with meals makes the meal a positive experience“, said the chairman of the Foundation for Child Health on.

No promises and tricks
Regarding the length of the meals, the Foundation for Child Health explained that it is an important learning process for the children to stay with meals and to take their time for eating and filling. For this reason, a meal should not take too long. A maximum of 30 minutes are appropriate here according to the experts. On average, the Germans take themselves for a lunch and dinner 20 minutes, according to the announcement of the Foundation for Child Health on. Tricks, convincing scenarios, promises or games designed to encourage children to eat may sometimes be successful in the short term, but according to the Foundation they are also inappropriate.

Pay attention to adequate portions
Furthermore, food should not be used for reward or punishment because „this contributes to an unhealthy eating behavior of the child or to being overweight“ can, reports the Foundation Child Health. Adequate portioning is also important, since the small children often feel overwhelmed by the provision of large amounts of food. Here, according to the experts „First, put a small portion on the plate and give something if the child wants it.“ The concern that a child does not eat enough is usually inappropriate. Parents may assume that a healthy, active, and satisfied child normally eats enough.

Tasty curiosity to wake the children
With regard to the taste preferences of toddlers, the foundation explained that the little ones are up to an age of „about two years still open for new taste experiences“ are. That's why they should already „gradually become accustomed to the taste of foods belonging to the healthy, mixed diet during the second half of the year“, the experts report. The parents are important role models here. They should have their children „encourage them to taste new foods and foods and to discover what they look like, how they smell and feel and what their taste is.“ This would set the course for a healthy, varied diet later in life. The parents could additionally arouse the curiosity of the child by providing meals in an appetizing and child-friendly way, eating them with pleasure and actively involving children in the design of food situations (for example, setting a table). „If possible, the children should be allowed to serve themselves“, reports the Foundation for Child Health.

Children's foods often with too much fat, sugar and salt
In the current press release, the experts also explain what complete food and drink should include in infants. A varied selection, adequate amounts and the combination of nutrient-rich and low-energy food is crucial here. Plenty of drinks, preferably in the form of water or other unsweetened and sugar-free drinks, as well as abundant plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, cereals and cereal products are recommended. Animal foods, milk and dairy products, meat, fish and eggs should, according to the information provided by the Foundation for Child Health, be consumed only in moderate quantities. With sugar and sweets, salt and fats as well as with snack products should be used very sparingly. For the „Balanced nutrition of healthy infants, no special products and so-called children's food are needed“, the foundation reports. Many such children's foods would „overly sugar, fat, saturated fat or salt“ included and „should therefore be used at most occasionally in the context of a balanced diet.“ (Fp)