7 Eating Habits to Build in Kids Before Age 10

The eating habits that children adopt before the age of ten become permanent for the rest of their life. This is not because children are incapable of adopting and changing habits, but because the preferences for taste, the relationship with food and the rituals that accompany the eating of food become set early.  Here is what to consider.

Habits That Last

• Eat meals as a family — regular family meals are one of the best researched protective factors for children's mental and physical health.
• No devices at the dinner/table — multi-tasking while eating, such as eating in front of the TV, leads to goals of mindless eating and a disconnect with cues to hunger.
• Teach them the difference between hunger and boredom — 'Are you really hungry, or just bored?' is as helpful as it seems.
• Get them involved with meal prep — children who help make their meal are more likely to eat it.
• No pressure variety — introduce new foods, but don’t force them to eat it. The ‘accepted new foods’ method is exposing new foods without pressure or force.
• No food as a reward/punishment — ‘if you behave, you will get dessert’ creates an unhealthy relationship with food.
• Make eating vegetables an every meal expectation — how you frame food shapes how children see it.

You don't need to stress about every meal being healthy. Stress at the table is more harmful than an imperfect meal.

Which of these habits exist in your home? Which habits are you still developing? ��

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