Before we get into the “meat of the dish” I just wanted to start out with a few basics so that we are all on the same page. The picture below show how your main meal plate should be set up:
(1)It is recommended that you eat six small meals a day to keep your body fueled at all times, and don’t forget the most important meal, breakfast! Breakfast helps to jump start your metabolism and gives you and your children a boost of energy to keep you going throughout the day.
For more complete information on portion sizes and food groups you can click on the following link which will take you to the Canadian Food Guide: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/alt_formats/hpfb-dgpsa/pdf/food-guide-aliment/view_eatwell_vue_bienmang-eng.pdf
Important things for parents to know!
It is important for parents to remember that children learn their eating behaviors and patterns from you, the parents! So the best way to get your kids to be good eaters is through setting a good example. You must also realize that when it comes to eating both parents and children have responsibilities and things that they can control:
Remember that as a parent you are in charge of what, when, and where your child eats. This means:
· What- You are in charge of what food gets put in front of your child.
· When- You decide at what time the meals and snacks should be.
· Where- You decide where your child should eat, for example, let them know that food is eaten at the dinner table with the rest of the family, not in front of the television.
You must also remember that your child is in charge of how much they eat and what they eat off the plate.
Remember that your child will know when they are hungry and when they are full so do not make them eat everything off of their plate. Children should also be in charge of what they eat off of their plate because their bodies will tell them what they should eat when they need it.
For more information another great resources is this website at Eat Right Ontario: http://www.eatrightontario.ca/en/viewdocument.aspx?id=145
What an excellent blog topic! Parents are always so concerned about whether or not their children are eating enough, eating the right foods, etc. Every parent wants the best for their child but I think they can get too wrapped-up in all of this and worry too much! I like how you emphasized that children have the ability to decide how much they eat - they will stop when they're full. I think this isn't always clear to some parents who place adult eating expectations on their children and encourage them to eat more when the child is actually full. Children may be young, but they can trust their tummies to decide how much they need for good health!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to hearing more about this hot topic! :)
This is a great topic, particularly since many parents do worry about their child getting enough to eat. Allowing a child to decide how much to eat is also very different from the way many adults grew up. I know my parents and myself included were taught to "empty our plates". The problem with this is they still empty their plates, ignoring the fact that they're really not hungry. This is why it's so important especially when children are developing their tastes and eating habits to make sure that they're healthy ones. I cannot wait to hear more!
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