Routines are often disrupted during the summer. As your child returns to school, discover how to establish healthy eating habits that can benefit them in adulthood.

As we all adjust to the back-to-school routine and manage various responsibilities, such as extra-curricular activities, lunch packing, and scheduling, it can be challenging to prioritize healthy eating. However, it’s crucial to remember that the food our children consume plays a significant role in fueling their ability to successfully learn and grow. As parents, we have a responsibility to help our kids establish healthy eating habits that will continue benefiting them well into adulthood.

Why it’s Important to Create Healthy Eating Habits Early

It is important to establish healthy eating habits early in life as it lays a strong foundation for a lifetime of good eating practices. Studies indicate that early adoption of healthy eating can significantly improve overall health and cognitive function, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

By prioritizing healthy eating habits from a young age, we can provide children with the necessary tools to lead a healthy life.

Tips to Creating Healthy Eating Habits for Kids

1. Set the standard at home.

As a parent, you are a role model for your child. This means that everything you do will influence your child’s choices, including your eating habits. Eating a well-balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, protein, whole grains, and healthy fats while limiting processed foods and sugar will encourage your child to make similar healthy choices.

2. Create a routine.

Often, routines can easily become disrupted during the summertime. Creating a consistent routine for a child can offer them a sense of predictability and structure, which is especially important at school and when their parents are not present. It is recommended for parents to ensure their children have three balanced meals each day to keep them energized – a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

3. Let your child be involved.

There are plenty of learning opportunities when it comes to healthy eating. From understanding what food choices are better to learning the correct serving sizes, healthy eating provides the perfect opportunity to develop lifelong skills. It can be as simple as making the grocery list or assembling healthy snacks; your child is never too young to participate and learn.

4. Be patient.

Having a child who is a picky eater or hesitant to try new foods may be challenging when trying to introduce a healthy routine. It is important to remember a child’s taste buds are always changing, and what they do not like now may be their favorite thing next year. Try not to discourage them but to be patient and have different options as they learn what they like and do not like.

5. Keep healthy snacks around.

Active, school-aged children may always seem hungry. Having healthy options on hand, like fruit, nuts, and whole grain snacks will help when your child is in need of a little treat and can help shape how they react to hunger as they grow into adulthood.

Choking Prevention for Children

As you are introducing new food to your children, it is important to remember safe eating tips. Choking injuries and death are completely preventable but are more common among children. According to research, at least one child dies from choking on food every five days in the U.S., and more than 12,000 children are taken to an emergency room each year for food-choking injuries.

Here are ways to help prevent your child from choking:

1. Never leave small children unattended while eating.
2. Children should sit up straight when eating and never be lying down.
3. Children should never be rushed while eating.
4. Parents should model safe eating habits, cut food into small, bite sized portions, and chew thoroughly so children do the same.
5. Plenty of liquids should be taken with meals in between mouthfuls.
   
   

From allergic reactions to choking injuries, NW Indiana ER & Hospital is here for you and your loved ones as you establish a healthy eating routine! Our expert staff specializes in pediatrics and is committed to providing top-tier care to your child in a comfortable environment to help them quickly feel better. Your neighborhood ER & hospital, without the wait, is here for you and your family, 24/7/365.

Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, NW Indiana ER & Hospital and Nutex Health state no content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.