Life gets busy and it can be hard to balance taking care of your children and having time to cook meals every day. It may be easy to turn to takeout and other convenience meals, but often, these foods aren’t always the healthiest option. Consistently having meals like that can negatively affect your child’s health and can turn into problems that continue into adulthood. It’s important to help your child develop healthy food habits for their development and continued nutrition. Dr. Gwen McDeigan at The Paediatric Centre in Nassau, BS, can help you develop a child nutrition plan and help your child develop healthy eating habits for the rest of their lives.

Tips for Child Nutrition

1. Make mealtimes special. Sitting down as a family for dinner can help your child be excited about mealtimes and can help them develop healthy eating habits. This can provide your children with the comfort they may need during a meal and can give you the opportunity to address any issues with their eating habits. This also gives you the chance to set an example and show your child what foods they should be eating to feel good about themselves.
2. Get your kids involved in meals. Having children pick out groceries or help prepare food can get them excited for their meals and can help them understand what foods they should be interested in.
3. Transition to healthier options. Instead of fully switching out every item in your pantry for an alternative, start slowly transitioning to new options. Your paediatrician in Nassau, BS, can explain child nutrition skills and help work with your child to make sure they’re eating as they should.
4. Make fruits and veggies appealing. Instead of offering your child chips or candy, you can offer them fruits and veggies. You can make sure they have options for their snacks, like pairing carrots and celery with hummus.
5. Limit sugar intake. Sugar is naturally occurring in many different foods, but it’s important to be mindful of foods with added sugars. Too many of these can contribute to hyperactivity, obesity, or type 2 diabetes.

Contact Your Paediatrician Today!

Talk to your child’s paediatrician about how you can improve your child’s eating habits and keep them healthy and strong. Contact Dr. Gwen McDeigan at The Paediatric Centre in Nassau, BS, to learn about child nutrition and how you can help your child. Call for more information today at (242) 322-5025.