First Foods
There are so many things to think about and discuss with your spouse when you are pregant and once the baby comes home. One of the easiest things for E and I to agree on was the twin’s eating. We knew we would offer the best foods possible to the babies and plenty of variety! We didn’t want chicken nugget and french fry kids, you know they type, that is their only order no matter where they are eating.
I read that food preferences are established early and that eating is a learning process, if kids are given mainly sweets that will be their taste preference instead of trying new things. It seems to be true in this house my kids will want fruit over french fries any day and they prefer guacamole and hummus to chicken nuggets and hamburgers.
The stats are scary too, 25-30 percent of kids 9 too 24 months did not eat any fruit and 20-25 percent did not eat any vegetables. The most common vegetable eaten by toddlers? French fries.
That shouldn’t be so shocking considering the childhood obesity epidemic.
What can you do to build your child’s healthy eating habits? Here are some tips:
Give the baby grains at six months. Sure he may be weirded out by the texture at first, but I bet he will grow to like it.
Veggies before fruits. Everyone prefers fruits over vegetables so try introducing veggies first, one at a time. They will be getting vitamins and minerals that aren’t found in other foods, but also antioxidants.
No Juice! Babies don’t need juice. Water and or milk (after 1 year) are fine. Juice is loaded with sugar and empty calories. If your child must have juice water it down, your dentist with also thank you!
Be a role model. If you and your husband eat junk and have it in the house your kids will want it. If they see you eating healthy and stopping when you are full kids will do the same later in life. I am not saying the occasional snack or treat is not to be allowed, everything in moderation.
starting solids, solid foods, toddlers, feeding toddlers, feeding kids, healthy kids, parenting, baby foods
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