The eating habits we form as children can make a big difference in our health over a lifetime. The way we feed our children is as important as the kinds of foods we offer.
When new foods are offered at an early age, children get used to trying new tastes, textures, colors, and flavors. You can vary tastes and flavors by serving new foods or favorite foods prepared in different ways. For young children, the way the food feels and looks can be as much fun as the way it tastes. Be ready for your child to squeeze soft foods between his or her fingers or crunch a few crispy crackers. It's fine for them to enjoy this play for a while.
Keep track of the foods your child likes. Serve these foods often. If your child refuses a certain food, try offering it again after a while. It's a good idea to offer nutritious foods, but it's not good to force your child to eat foods you know he or she dislikes.
Let your child decide when he or she has eaten enough. If you serve small meals and snacks often and with a variety of foods, your child may feel full. You should never force a child to eat. It will make both of you unhappy.
There may be times when your child doesn't want to eat. Don't be too concerned if this happens occasionally. If you make a fuss too often, your child may refuse to eat just because of the attention.
When you make feeding time fun and enjoyable for your child, your child may learn to like many more foods. You will have more fun, too.
To find out more about feeding young children, go to the file: Feeding Young Children - I.
If you have other questions about feeding your children, go to "Ask the Nutritionist."
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