For example, a whole grain, low-sugar cereal is likely to be welcomed by a toddler. Once a child is old enough to make independent food choices, continue to offer healthy foods, she said. Plan meals and snacks. Families who plan meals may find it easier to include more variety. Planning meals also alleviates last-minute stresses everyone is likely to be in a better mood at meal time.
Snacks are important, particularly for children, who have small stomachs.
They need to eat refuel, so to speak regularly. Avoid offering foods that provide empty calories. For example, serve milk or water at meal or snack time, rather than sugary juice mixes or carbonated beverages, Procter said. When parents enjoy foods without focusing on them or over emphasizing them, children learn to enjoy them, too. If a child turns up his nose at an unfamiliar food, it s best not to make an issue out of it.