How To Get Your Child To Eat Actual Meals

Is your child a grazer or snacker of junk food? Today’s posts has tips on how to get your children to eat actual, healthy meals…

Be A Good Role Model

Do you sit down and eat actual meals? You may be modeling grazing behaviour without even realizing it. If you are busy, you may not be sitting down and having regular meals. Sit down and eat meals with your children whenever possible.

Plenty of research shows that kids tend to model the eating habits of their parents. ~Eating Well

Cut Back On Snacks Available

Another tip is to cut back on the snacks you have available in the house. Focus on ingredients that make up entire meals, rather than having easy to reach and snack on items. It’s more work to make full meals, but you are more likely to put in the effort if that is your only option at meal time.

Keep A Schedule

Snacks are ok in between meals to help growing kids but try to keep meal times consistent. Our bodies can be trained when to eat and kids’ tummies are no different in that.

Meal Plan and Prep

If thinking about a weekly menu is too daunting, start with two or three days at a time. ~ Parents.com

If you have a game plan and all the ingredients you need ready, meal times become much easier. You can get kids involved by having a menu board and let them know what day you are having what, so they can anticipate and be excited. If you involve them in the planning process, they will be much more likely to eat the meals.

Wellness Mama has some food rules to cure picky eaters…