The two times I've visited two different families and got so surprised at their eating habit was one, at my aunt's place. I stayed with them for a few months and I must say, the kids don't like food at all. I can't even point fingers at them for not eating when I have to point all my fingers to the older ones. I felt odd eating more than them.
The other one was at a friend's family house, you see the kids asking to know what would be for dinner while their mouths were busy with lunch meals. I felt I needed to eat better when I watch them eat, they ate so well that they looks so nourished and happy, it gave me joy just watching them as a visitor. Well eating kids are happy kids.
Ever seen a house where the children surrounds their mother and work in the kitchen until the food is ready and they eat like never before?
There are strategies to make kids eat more and eat well. From my experience taking care of my cousins when I was at my aunt's place, I must say, it was hard case to crack. These kids would prefer little snacks and milky drinks to solid foods that would sustain them more. To make foodies out of these little ones will take a lot.
One of the strategies I've seen mothers use and I've tried before is "Involving the kids in the cooking process". While this may be tedious depending on how little the kids are, it will help keep them excited about the meal you are preparing. If they could help with prepping ingredients, make them do it, play games too.
I remember a time I made my cousins guess what I was preparing and also guess the ingredients I'll be using, somehow they became happy to want to have a taste of the meal once I'm done. Even though it didn't make their appetite big, they ate more than when you call them to eat a meal you prepared out of nowhere.
Another thing that's important to note for kids to eat healthy and better is "Being a role model yourself". One clear thing children do is "Imitate those around them". As the Parent or Guardian, you could get your kids to eat well enough when you show them how it's done by being a healthy eater yourself. Give random food competitions.
While you're doing all this, you're making sure the kind of meals you children go enthusiastic about are mostly healthy for them. Invest in more fruits and vegetables for the meals of your children, sugar is fine for growing kids but there should be moderations. I also learnt that "Making your kids workout or allow them play" make kids eat more.
Having a healthy family eating timetable with time for good rest and time to work or play is important in raising little foodies. They don't have to eat too much but just the right amount of food to keep them till the next meal time. Being dynamic with the kind of meals you prepare at home will get the children excited to want to eat.
A Tiktok video I saw, the lady tries to recreate the usual snacks, smoothies and parfaits she sees out there and her kids watch her excitedly as they are surprised they could have the same thing at home without spending money lol. What they didn't know was, their mother made the meals to be much healthier than the ones they would buy.
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