Kids and food

As a wife and a mom, i see most women complain their kids eat little or nothing and this saddens their heart. Food is one of the most essential needs of the human body. When people especially kids don't feed well, it sure does show both in the physical and mental growth too. Food should be a thing adored by kids and this foods should be balanced, giving them the proper nutrients needed which aids them in their daily activities .

Colour
Parents should try and incorporate different foods into their chidren's meals with lots of colour and they'll see the difference in the reaction and the feeding of the child also. Since children are usually attracted to colours right from their tender age, colours shouldn't only be a part of their visual life but also in taste. As a mom, i make different foods for my two kids and try as much as i can to avoid canned or plastic food. When my son sees his food, he gets all excited to eat and starts jumping around(funny how that may sound). Not saying that some times he's not interested in the meal, but when he gets to the table willingly or if forced, he sees his plate (spaghetti bolonese with sausages) and he goes off "mummy am not hungry" what i immediately do is slice some oranges with their beautiful bright colours or any bright coloured fruit, drop into his plate and that solves the whole thing. A totally different reaction is the end result and then you would have combined some vitamin c into his lunch.

Dessert
Also, forming the habit of feeding a child his dessert after every meal makes children eat meals wholly with less fuss. desserts of fruits, flavoured gelatines, icecream or pudding get children all excited and when they know what comes next after their meal, motivates them to eat all and wait for the next course to be served.

Fruits
Children love fruits and so why deny them of what is healthy and full of nutrients when they can eat fruits heartily. When it comes to fruits, I sometimes get to the kitchen and right on top of the kitchen table, I find my son eating fruits which gladdens my heart. Knowing what he's capable of doing, I wash all the fruits and place them in the fruit holder.


Feel like a superstar, feel fergielicious!



Lanche
Being married to a Portuguese and living amongst them I've learnt their food and culture. With their wide food ranges it's very common to see the portuguese trooping to the coffee shops and bakeries to eat their afternoon snack(lanche). This is an important meal and is usually eaten between lunch and dinner consisting of foods like cakes, cookies, coffee, tea etc. I always feed my kids their lanche before dinner getting them ready for the upcoming meal. You can feed children milk with chocolate and cookies, yoghurt or even cupcakes. Just spacing their meals adequately makes them healthy and leaves them longing for more.

Table
He's only 2years old but an independent eater. Does all his eating himself with his fork and knife(plastic) when it solid and his spoon when he's eating his soup. This brings me to the table. Eating together with your children encourages them to eat because when they see you eat, they eat. It's that simple. Families should try to eat together even if it's dinner which is when everyone is home. It's essential. A family ties it's bond at the dinner table. Issues and communication is all done there and while this happens,you'll see your kids seated and well behaved not wanting to leave the table till everyone's done. Family dinners unite the family.

Where should you feed your child at the early stages?
What should you feed your baby?
When should start giving your baby solids?
When should you start allowing your baby eat by herself?
These are some common questions that probe mothers and they will be answered in the next topic.