Nutrition Bites

THE RULES This section will describe why it is so important to establish rules and consequences involving food at the table, in the kitchen, and at the grocery store. Children need to understand what is expected of them in each of these areas, and why it is important to follow the rules. In order to bring up a generation of healthy eaters, children must be taught the nutrition basics at home. There are several rules that have been outlined in this section. Feel free to add your own and display them where everyone can see them; on the refrigerator or a wall by the dining room table for example. Everyone, including adults, must follow the rules! Rule #2 Eat Before Treat If you are having a hard time getting your child to eat the healthy stuff, tell them that they can not have anything else until they eat the healthy food first. Take snack time after school for example: offer your child a piece of fruit first and tell them after and if they eat the fruit they can then have a cookie. You’ll be surprised how quickly they gobble up the apple, pear or peach to get to that cookie. Children need to learn the difference between food that is healthy for them and food that is ‘junk’; and this learning process must begin from a very early age. Healthy food provides all of the nutrients they need to grow up healthy and strong. Junk food does nothing to promote health, and in large quantities it will make your child sick, so they need to limit the amount that they eat. This key message is essential for children to understand from an early age. As they get older your child will have more and more responsibility over their food choices and if they do not understand the differences between the healthy foods and the junk foods, then they will not be able to make healthy choices.