How I Get My Kids To Eat Well

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Any parent will tell you that it’s not always easy to get their little humans to eat right. Between all the not-too-good-for-them sweets offered at parties or through well meaning grandparents and the constant negotiations (and even tantrums), making sure that our little people have the right sustenance can often be a losing battle.

I was recently invited by Selecta Fortified Milk to share how I personally get Nara and Fin to eat well daily. And though I’m not one to preach about my parenting styles, you may find these tips useful. So feel free to use or try what you think may work for your kids. I would also love to hear your own tips in the comments section below.

Tip #1: Don’t give snacks too close to meal time.
It’s my belief that my kids need three full meals a day and oftentimes two snack times (one in the morning and one in the afternoon). But the importance should be on their full meals, so if my kids wake up late from their naps or decide they want their snacks thirty minutes before meal time, I encourage them instead to wait for their meal. I believe that kids need to feel a little hungry to appreciate their food and that won’t happen if they get their cookies and sandwiches right before lunch or dinner.

Tip #2: Meal time is sitting time.
I don’t allow my kids to run around being chased with a spoon during meal time. They are free to roam with a cookie or cheese pandesal during merienda. But breakfast, lunch, and dinner requires them to stay put in a chair till they are done. This prevents them from getting distracted and setting an inconvenient habit. If they decide they want to take it slow, I let them but they can’t leave the chair till they’re done (which means finishing a good amount of the food on their plate, not necessarily everything).

Tip #3: Don’t keep junk food in the house.
This is easier said than done. But this is a tip I got from my mom while we were growing up and it works if you make it happen. This way, if you want a naughty snack, you’ll have to head out to get it. You won’t be eating something bad for you just because you’re hungry.

Tip #4: Incorporate healthier versions of items into their food.
Your kids like cookies? Try the ones that have malungay put into them. They enjoy spaghetti? Grate a whole carrot into the sauce while cooking. They enjoy gummy bears? Choose the varieties made with natural fruit juice. There are so many ways to incorporate better nutrition into their food without compromising taste.

This is also why I like Selecta Fortified Milk. Aside from having the daily calcium requirements needed for my children’s growing bones, it’s also fortified, so with just one glass they get: 100% Vitamin A, Vitamin B2, B6, B12 and Vitamin D3. Each glass is also rich in Calcium, Protein, Magnesium, and Vitamin B1 & B3. They also love the slight vanilla taste. A glass of milk that isn’t just good for your bones, but for your brain and body too.

Tip #5: Encourage your children to try one bite.
Sometimes just the look of a dish can make your kids make a face. But I encourage Fin and Nara to try one bite of a new dish almost every other day. Some they like, others they don’t (and if they say yuck, I don’t force them).