As a parent, it’s vital to instill good eating habits in your children as early as possible. The sooner they learn about proper nutrition, the more likely they are to have a healthy relationship with food throughout their lives. Here are some do’s and don’ts about child nutrition parents and child care providers can follow.

Do:

Schedule regular mealtimes.

Eating meals together as a family gives you a chance to talk to your kids about their day and establish a stronger bond with them. It also provides you with the opportunity to observe how they eat. If you notice that your kids aren’t eating their vegetables, for example, encourage them to do so.

Make fruits & veggies more appetizing.

While parents and child care providers know how important it is to eat fruits and veggies, some kids don’t get very excited about biting down on these foods. Luckily, there are things you can do to make fruits and veggies more appealing, like dipping them in hummus or Greek yogurt.

Don’t:

Eliminate fats.

Not all fats are bad. In fact, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated can help improve your kids’ memory and lift their moods. These healthy fats can be found in many foods, including almonds, salmon and avocados.

Use food as a reward.

It’s never a good idea for parents or child care providers to reward kids for good behavior with food. This can make them start using food to deal with their emotions. It’s better to reward positive behavior with verbal praise.

If you’re looking for a reliable child care provider in Greensboro, NC, turn to Guilford Child Development-RCCRR. Established in 1967, they provide affordable and superior day care services to residents in the area and strive to help children and families reach their full potential. These professionals help over 5,000 families each year and offer everything from reading help to food programs. For more information about their child care services, call (336) 887-8224 or visit their website.