Serve them up a good start in life
Every parent wants the best in life for their little ones, and feeding them correctly is a major concern.
Research has shown that it’s never too early to introduce healthy foods for kids – infants between the ages of four months and a year are blank slates upon which food preferences can be imprinted, so if you give them good food early on they’re more likely to make sensible food choices as they grow up.
Healthy eating for kids involves giving them access to a variety of dishes, including a good source of iron and calcium each day, offering fruit and vegetables and providing low-sugar snacks. This can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes in later life and promote strong bones.
Here are some tips to get your kids into healthy eating as well as some good food recipes for kids:
Fruit and vegetable purees are great for weaning babies – but don’t forget they need fat and protein too. Healthy foods for kids include mashed avocado, which is full of good fats and vitamins, and yoghurt and cheese which provide calcium and protein. Dishes like cauliflower cheese provide the goodness of the vegetable as well as protein, calcium and fat.
Make sure their diet is nutritious and balanced but make the food inviting and attractive to them. Good food recipes for kids include fishcakes with broccoli and roast chicken (kids love gravy!).
Hide foods your child might not like. Your kids may not tuck into a pile of spinach but they won’t notice if you put it in the pasta bake or in a Bolognese sauce. Smoothies are also a good way to hide healthy foods for kids such as fruit and vegetables if you can’t persuade them to eat them in their solid form.
While there may be times when you need to rely on shop-bought baby food, where possible wean your children onto the same food you and your family eat (adapted to remove excess salt and any other ingredients they are too young for).
When they’re old enough, get them involved in helping to cook meals – whether it’s measuring ingredients or giving things a stir. They’re more likely to eat it if they’ve helped to make it. Find some simple food recipes for kids that they would like to try.
It can be hard if one or both parents work, but try to eat together as a family rather than having a separate mealtime for children and adults. This way, they pick up good eating habits from you and you spend time together as a family without other distractions. Children should always be supervised at mealtimes in case one of them chokes and needs assistance.
Beware of...
Salt – high levels can be dangerous for youngsters, so avoid giving them salty foods like bacon and don’t add it when preparing their food at home.
Sugar – this will encourage a sweet tooth and causes dental decay. Don’t give honey to babies under one year as it can contain dangerous bacteria that cause serious illness.
Nuts – these present a choking risk and are also a life-threatening allergy in rare cases.