Examples of suitable size servings are a ½ cup of milk, a small piece of meat,
1 or 2 tablespoons of vegetables or fruit, and a ½ to 1 slice of bread.
Little children usually do not like foods mixed together. They like to eat raw
vegetables and fruits as “finger” foods. They like cookies with raisin faces or
interesting shapes, and surprises like a piece of fruit in the bottom of their
custard.
How foods look, taste and feels in their mouth is very important to little
children. They like the color, flavor and texture of these foods: chewy toasted
cheese sandwiches, soup with crisp toast strips, banana and tangy orange
slices, smooth pudding.
Appetites of children, like those of adults, can vary from day to day. An
active child will usually eat more than a smaller or less active one.
A happy child will eat better than an anxious or worried one.
A tired, excited child cannot enjoy his food. He should relax and wash his
hands and face before eating.
Choose a quiet time and place to feed the child.
Points to Remember
A. Offer food so that it is attractive to children.
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B. Have a happy, relaxed atmosphere at mealtime.
C. Help your child to learn how to like the foods their bodies need to grow on.
D. Never use food as a form of punishment or punish your child at the dinner
table.
E. Never withhold desserts as punishment or give as a reward. They are part
of the meal.
F. Help your child to learn how to like a variety of different foods.
G. Serve all their foods in a form that is easy for your child to eat.
H. Accept some spills as part of the process as the child learns to feed
himself.
I. Never insist that a child eat a certain food if he or she refuses it. Allow the
child time to learn how to like the food instead.
J. Serve meals according to a regular schedule.
K. Insist that all members of the family sit down and eat together at the
same time each day.
L. Coffee, tea, and soft drinks are not good for small children. They also
prevent the child from drinking the milk needed to build strong bones and
teeth.
M. Candy and cookies between meals fill the child up but do not provide the
vitamins and minerals they must have for growth and development.
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Giving Your Child Quality Food
Your goal as a parent should be to provide healthy and nutritious meals for
your kids and to help them develop good eating habits.
No two kids are alike. You should not compare one child’s eating habits
with those of another.
Don’t push your child based upon the progress of another sibling,
cousin, or the advice of a friend or a relative.
Because infants (birth to 1 year) are so vulnerable nutritionally, you
should gear their feeding to the needs of each child and base it on
sound medical advice.
During the first few months of a baby’s life, breast milk or formula
provides all of the nutrients and calories your child will need.
In addition to breast milk or formula, you should provide other foods
during the first year, but not until the infant is at least 4 to 6 months
old.
Do not introduce cereal or any other type of baby foods too early in
your child’s life. It is not necessary and may even increase the risk of
your baby developing a reaction to the food later on.
When your baby is ready to begin solid foods, start with small servings
of 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls and gradually increase the serving size to 3 to 4
tablespoons per feeding.
Introduce infant cereal first, and then strained fruits, strained
vegetables, and finally, strained meats.
You should also introduce juices (orange or apple) one at a time,
preferably from a cup.
You should only introduce new foods to your child one at a time over a
period of 4 or 5 days. This will allow you time to determine if an
allergic reaction will develop and to which food your child may be
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allergic.
How can you tell if your child has a reaction?
If your baby develops any of the following symptoms there is a good
possibility it is food related:
A. A skin rash
B. Hives
C. Vomiting
D. Diarrhea
E. Nasal congestion
F. Wheezing in the chest
It is recommended that you should take your child to the doctor immediately
if any of these symptoms persist so that the proper medical attention can be
administered.
Most doctors advise never to feed a baby solid foods until the child is
between the ages of 4 and 6 months. By then, the child has better control
over eating and can move the food safely from the front of the mouth and
down its throat without choking.
The first two years of your child’s life should be a fun and happy time for
both you and your child. These early eating experiences should serve as the
foundation for the development of a positive mental attitude towards such
things as health, nutrition and foods in general.
As babies become acquainted with their environment, including their food,
they will want to explore it, handle it and try to feed themselves. Encourage
this as much as possible.
With the proper care and attention to your child’s development, you can
make meal time one of the most enjoyable experiences in a child’s life.
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Improving Your Child’s Appetite
To understand your child’s food habits, you have to understand everything
there is about him. His food habits are dictated by the emotional, social and
physical phases of his young life.
Mealtime should be a happy, relaxed occasion. Be sure to provide a quiet
time just before every meal.
Give the child an opportunity to rest or relax before a meal. Overly excited
children find it difficult to settle down to eating.
You should tell your child, “it will be time to eat soon.” about 5 or 10 minutes
before a meal so that he can finish whatever it is he is doing.
Allow plenty of time for eating. Children vary in their
eating habits. One child may eat rapidly, while another
may take his or her time finishing their meal for no
apparent reason.
Some are heavy eaters while others are more neat and
precise.
According to a study made at Ohio University, a child’s
attitude towards meal time may be demonstrated by the
amount of time he spends eating his food, provided the food is in a form he
can easily handle.
Allow some freedom of choice to the child in selecting the food being served
to him. Young children like to choose not only the food they are about to eat,
but the color of gelatin that is laid upon their plate.
A child needs frequent praise for his successes during mealtime. Remember,
good habits are “caught rather than taught” and children will follow the
examples of others at the breakfast or dinner table.
This is a hard process for them to learn. A small child can become easily
discouraged when confronted by a plate overflowing with food. It is important
for praise to be given whenever your child does something he might consider
being good.
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Planning meals to better your child’s appetite or eating habits is no easy task
but it can be accomplished with the right information and execution.
It’s kind of like planning a wardrobe. We wear clothing for a variety of
different occasions and much of it depends on how we feel at any given time.
Eating Patterns
Certain patterns of eating can be expected depending on the child’s age.
After the first birthday, a child’s appetite may be considered very poor, but it
will improve dramatically by the time he turns three years old.
A four-year-old may show a definite preference for certain kinds of food and,
by the time the child has turned six, he will have developed a more hearty
appetite.
A seven year old may tend to procrastinate with his food, but an eight year
old will have established a pattern for a more normal, healthy appetite.
One of the best ways to get a child started with good eating habits is to
practice them yourself. Children learn from observing the attitudes of others
and, if they see everyone at the table enjoying their food, they will more
than likely follow the same pattern.
It is a natural reaction for a child or adults to rebel against something they
don’t feel comfortable doing. Attempting to force-feed a child has the same
consequences.
You are not just feeding a child food – you are feeding his or her attitudes
towards those foods!
Children enjoy foods that are interesting in color and offer a variety in taste
and texture. It is a good plan to include one crisp, one chewy, and one soft
food in each meal.
Small children often reject sticky or stringy foods.
Remember to always serve food in bite-size pieces so that it is easy for them
to handle.
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Fix Feeding Problems
Planning meals for small children sometimes can be a monumental task.
Equally as intimidating is a child’s resistance to trying new foods or their lack
of co-operation at the dinner table.
The following “tips” should help you identify a particular problem you may be
facing with a finicky eater or a child that refuses to eat.
Remember, you want your child to become acquainted with a variety of new
foods as soon as possible.
The Common Feeding Problems
Introducing Your Child to New Foods.
Solution: Your child may be curious about what it is
and how it tastes but he’s basically shy about trying
something that is unknown to him.
I suggest that you try only one new food at mealtime.
Give him a very small amount to try.
Don’t try to introduce any new foods when a child is
sick, angry or otherwise in a grumpy mood. Unless
you are very good at persuading your child, he will
more than likely turn you down.
Don’t get upset; just wait a few days and try again.
He doesn’t Like Certain Foods
Solution: Whether you child is just trying to show you who’s the boss or he
doesn’t like how it tastes, you must get your child to overcome the problem.
Don’t try to make a big issue out of the situation. Children are entitled to a
few dislikes.
Try combining the food that he dislikes with some that he does.
You should also see if the child would like the food if it was prepared in a
different way.
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Refusal to Eat
Solution: He may or may not be hungry, or he just may not feel like eating.
If this only happens occasionally and the child appears to feel all right, simply
remove the child from the table and allow him to wait for the next meal.
No punishment or bribes should be used.
A skipped meal will do no harm to a healthy child.
If it turns out that your child is actually ill, you should take him to a doctor at
once.
Playing with Food
Solution: Whenever your child does this, he’s either not hungry or just
trying to get attention.
I know this can be very irritating to you, but you should
allow a reasonable amount of time and not make a scene.
Your child is probably just trying your patience.
Make it clear to him that you will remove the food shortly
and there will be no more until the next meal.
Food Jags
Solution: Food jags are a certain food or combination that your child likes
and which he wants all the time.
It’s not unusual for a child to have a preference for certain foods. Try to
tolerate this particular behavior for as long as you can.
Usually, it won’t last long.
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Changes in Eating Habits
The following is a time line of eating behavior in children from the ages of 1-
year-old to 9 years’ of age.
You can use this as a guide to know where your child is at in relation to other
ages and if your child needs to do some catching up.
1 Year Old
Appetite: May be a poor eater for breakfast, but usually good for
other meals.
Refusals and Preferences: May refuse milk from a bottle, especially
if the nipple-style is different or some other change has been made.
His favorite bottle is usually the evening one.
If weaned, he may refuse milk from a cup.
Food preferences are becoming well defined to certain cereals and
vegetables.
Self-Help: May finger-feed part of meal.
He may insist on standing to eat.
He may need a toy or two to hold if being fed.
18 Months
Appetite: May be decreasing. Is usually less than that of a vigorous
infant.
May want milk more from a bottle than a cup.
Appetite is usually best for noon meal.
Refusals and Preferences: Changes a lot.
Self Help: Enjoys feeding self. He may do so for all meals with some
help in filling the spoon.
Gives up empty dish when finished.
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2 Years
Appetite: Fair to moderately good. Noon meal is usually the best.
Refusals and Preferences: Many are fussy and hard to please. They
go on food jags or refuse meals.
He can name foods and voices likes and dislikes.
He likes whole pieces. Doesn’t like strained foods or foods mixed
together.
He may like certain tastes, shapes, feels, colors, especially red or
yellow.
Self-Help: Some can feed themselves without help. He may want no
one nearby while he is eating.
Some may need help.
Two extreme groups of eaters; messy and neat.
2 ½ Years
Appetite: Often varies between very good and very poor.
Usually eats one good meal; noon or evening.
May eat better between meals.
Refusals and Preferences: More defined than at age two.
Food jags continue.
May favor meat, fruit or butter.
Feeds preferred foods to self.
Eats other foods if he is fed them.
Totally refuses to eat disliked foods, especially green vegetables.
Self-Help: May feed self the entire meal or want to eat some first and
ask for help with the rest.
Likes routines. Demands same foods, dishes or arrangement of dishes.
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3 Years
Appetite: Fairly good. Less changeable than before.
Milk intake increasing.
Refusals and Preferences: Less defined than earlier.
Meat, fruit, milk, dessert and sweets favored. Eats vegetables.
Likes foods that needs to be chewed.
May ask for special foods when meal is being prepared.
Self-Help: Demands for attention while eating may be excessive.
4 Years
Appetite: Fair. Drinks milk rapidly and well.
Refusals and Preferences: Food jags show definite likes and
dislikes.
Self-Help: Starts to help plan meals. Helps set table.
May be a slow eater.
5 Years
Appetite: Usually good, but can vary greatly.
Refusals and Preferences: Definite dislikes: cooked root vegetables,
gravies, casseroles, and puddings.
Likes meats, potatoes, raw vegetables, milk and fruit.
Self-Help: Feeds self slowly but steadily and fairly well. Beginning to
spread foods with knife.
6 Years
Appetite: Usually large. Eyes bigger than stomach.
Favors snacks more than meals, especially at bedtime.
Breakfast is often still the poorest meal.
Refusals and Preferences: Food jags.
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Dislikes some foods because of how they feel.
Tries new foods.
Doesn’t like cooked desserts, cooked vegetables.
Likes meat, potatoes, milk, raw vegetables, peanut butter, ice cream
and candy.
Self-Help: May finger feed.
May still have trouble with a knife for spreading.
7 Years
Appetite: Moderate. Extremes of appetite in different children.
Refusals and Preferences: May eat disliked food, but still dislikes
strongly flavored cooked vegetables or cheeses.
Likes milk, meat, ice cream and peanut butter sandwiches.
Self-Help: Very little difficulty handling knife, fork and spoon.
Still uses fingers to push food on to fork or spoon.
8 Years
Appetite: Excellent.
Poor eater’s appetites improve. Some need food amounts limited.
Refusals and Preferences: Preferences similar to seven-year-old.
Tries new foods.
Smell of food important.
Loves certain foods.
Self-Help: Less use of fingers.
Starts to use knife to cut meat, but not skillfully.
9 Years
Appetite: Eats about as much as adults.
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Even poor eaters settle into adequate amounts for needs.
Refusals and Preferences: Refuses certain foods, especially if
cooked in unfamiliar way.
Likes sweet desserts.
Self-Help: Good coordination with implements.
Tends to saw meat with knife.
Cuts pieces too large.
May need help.
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The Importance of Vegetables in the Diet
Most of the disinterest and lack of enthusiasm felt by most kids towards
eating vegetables is the result of dull, repetitive meal combinations and
uninspired preparation.
Vegetables are an
appetizing and easily
available source of
many important
nutrients that are
necessary for health and beauty. No matter how hard you try, you won’t look
pretty if you’re not healthy.
To look and feel your best, you need the right amount of sleep and exercise
and a proper diet. Eating the right foods every day will make your hair shine,
your skin glow, your teeth strong, your eyes bright and your energy seem
endless.
And it’s easy to eat properly. All you have to do is include in your diet the
required number of servings from each of the four basic food groups.
Vegetables are an important source of vitamins and minerals. Some
vegetables supply vitamin C, vitamin A and iron. Others are supplementary
sources of B vitamins such as Niacin, Riboflavin and Thiamin.
The dark and green leafy vegetables, such as Kale, Spinach and Collard
Greens are good sources of vitamin C. The body needs vitamin C to help bind
cells together, to help build strong teeth, to keep gums healthy, to help the
body resist infection and to promote the healing of wounds and cuts.
Dark-green leafy vegetables and deep-yellow or orange vegetables, such as
carrots, winter squash and sweet potatoes, are good sources of Carotene,
which promotes growth and development, protects us from not being able to
see well at night and helps the body build resistance to infections.
Iron, another important nutrient, is found in the dark green leafy vegetables
such as Kale, Spinach, Broccoli and Collard Greens, and also dried peas and
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