Strategies to Encourage Healthy Eating in Toddlers

We all want our little ones to eat healthy, nutritious food that will help them to grow up fit and strong, just one problem, toddlers and children can be famously picky eaters; this is because they are still making sense of all the different flavours and textures of the huge variety of food we eat. Toddlers need to try food as many as 10 times for it to be accepted – so bare this in mind when deciding to stop offering broccoli or cabbage – persistence is key!

During childhood, little ones should be given a wide range of food to try, especially fruit and vegetables, so that they develop their taste for them. Healthy meals are important and parents should research how to prepare nutritious, well balanced lunch boxes, breakfasts and dinners for their child.

Children learn more by what they see than what you tell them; so think twice before feeding your little one vegetable sticks whilst they see you gobble up your favourite junk food. Parents must be a role model by eating healthy meals with their children. During meal times, this is a perfect opportunity to discuss the benefits of eating well with your child.

Other ways to teach your child about healthy eating are by reading stories with them and involving them in choosing healthy food at the supermarket.

Read below for some top tips to encourage healthy eating!

Weaning: During weaning, babies should be given a wide range of fruit and vegetables as this introduces them to different textures and tastes.

Colour: it has been shown that children eat more healthily if they are given a wide range of foods of different colours, especially fruit and vegetables.

Choice and self-service: where children are able to choose foods and also serve themselves, they are more likely to try out new foods. They are also more likely to learn to stop eating when they feel full.

Presentation: children are more likely to be interested in healthy food if it is attractively presented and arranged in ways that look interesting to them.

Involvement: as soon as children are able to walk, they should be involved in the preparation of food or meal times. They can carry things to the table, serve themselves or take part in cooking. Being involved, especially in the cooking process makes children more interested in the food and in turn they are more likely to try it!

Repetition: the sensation of bitterness can be reduced if children keep trying foods that seem bitter to them. This is why foods should be offered regularly, so that over time children can learn to enjoy them.

Providing healthy snacks and drinks: the types of snacks on offer need to be healthy. They may include fruit, vegetables or mini meals such as cheese and biscuits.

At The little Dreamers Nursery, we encourage the children to eat healthily. In our little garden our little dreamers have planted pumpkins and tomatoes this year; children will be involved in harvesting the vegetables to cook with as part of our mini chef activities.  We discus the benefits of healthy food and each week we cook some healthy recipes with the children who are involved in cutting, stirring and preparing the dishes.