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5 ways to help your toddler develop healthy food habits
As parents we all want our children to enjoy a variety of nutritious food, but we also know that this is often easier said than done. These smart strategies will help your toddler develop lifelong healthy eating habits, so that their body and brain can mature to their full potential during this time of rapid growth and development.
- Take a look at your own habits
A child’s relationship with food is largely formed by their parents and caregivers, mirroring their food preferences and relationship to food. So, the first positive step you can take is to look at you and your family’s own snack and mealtime habits. Are you preparing and eating healthy meals? If not, put effort into addressing what and how you eat. Studies show that most of our unhealthy snacks and meals are consumed outside the home – another reason to make healthy home-prepared meals and snacks a priority, rather than convenience foods.
- Add an element of fun
Healthy foods needn’t be bland and unappetising. Get creative with fruit and vegetables when preparing and presenting meals. Use sliced veg to make a face on top of a homemade pizza or ask your child to help you thread fruit kebabs. Explore the Recipe tab on our Squish website for inspiration. It is packed with recipes that include 100% Squish Fruit and Veggie Purees – they’reguaranteed to make your little one smile… and gobble them up! Try this Sweet Potato, Apple and Cinnamon Stack that with a little fruity imagination turns into a cute piggy, or these impossible-to-resist Bananasicles.
- Slowly introduce new flavours
It can take a toddler a while to get used to different textures and flavours, which is why adding a new taste to something they already enjoy can be an effective way for them to get used to something new. Squish 100% Fruit and Veggie Purees offer a simple and convenient way to do this. Simply add a squeeze of Squish 100% Veggie Puree to a favourite like scrambled egg or mash. All Squish purees have a convenient resealable lid, which means you can just use what you need, then pop the rest back in the fridge for later. There are a whole variety of flavours, from fruity favourites like Mango + Banana and Summer Berries to our full veggie range, including Butternut + Carrot and Mixed Veg. The Squish range is free of preservatives, colourants and flavourant,
– plus, there is no added starch or cane sugar – which means you’ll be making a naturally good choice for your child.
- No more kiddie’s menu
If you’re heading to a restaurant, try not order a meal for your little one from the children’s menu – they’re usually high in carbs and fat with little nutritional value. Rather look at the starter options on the regular menu and pick a healthy option from there. Or better still, pack a container into a small thermal flask with some ready-cooked pasta and top it with Squish 100% Veggie Puree.
And make sure your menu choices are healthy too – remember, your little one is watching and learning from you.
- Make mealtimes a family affair
As often as possible, try sit down together with your toddler to enjoy a family breakfast or supper. Let your child try foods off your plate and praise them when they try something new. Remove all distractions too – make sure the TV is off and that your phone isn’t distracting you. You could also let them serve themselves. It is these small good eating habits – mindful eating, portion control, a variety of flavours and textures – that all work together to set your child up for a lifetime of healthy food habits and a positive attitude to food.