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As my kids grew older, I learnt some simple tips and tricks to guide my kids (and the entire family) on a path of healthy eating and I want to share some of them with you.  A lot of reading, research and patience helped me on that path and today, my kids don’t tell me what to cook because I give them a thousand and one reasons why healthy eating makes sense to them as individuals, family and the community as a whole. It is great to start insisting on what your toddler eats as soon as you start weaning. You’ll need a great deal of patience but you’ll be a lot happier when you and your family eat right.

1. It is very important to keep a wide variety of healthy foods available in the house. This practice will help your children learn how to make healthy food choices. Fruits and vegetables should always be in the house. Go low on having snacks and/or assorted fruit juices. Natural fruit juices is key.

2. Encourage your child to eat slowly. A child can detect hunger and fullness better when they eat slowly. Before offering a second serving, ask your child to wait a few minutes to see if they are truly still hungry. This will give the brain time to register fullness.

3. It is important to make mealtimes pleasant with conversation and sharing, not a time for scolding or arguing. If mealtimes are unpleasant, children may try to eat faster to leave the table as soon as possible or may not eat at all. Most of us are guilty of this.

4. Try not to use food to punish or reward your children. When foods, such as sweets, are used as a reward, children may assume that these foods are better or more valuable than other foods. For example, telling children that they will get a sweet if they eat their beans sends the wrong message about beans. Exactly!

5. Reduce the amount of sugar sweetened drinks and salt in your child’s diet. It is also very important to serve clean water with meals.