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Unfortunately, the problem of poor eating habits and a less active lifestyle is becoming more and more common today, which can lead to overweight or obesity even in early childhood. Unfortunately, this can have a very negative impact on our health in the long term, as obesity plays a significant role in the development of most chronic diseases (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc.).
The quality of the diet is a crucial element in a healthy diet at any stage of life.
Most of us make a New Year's resolution to change our lifestyle, try to change our eating habits and improve our physical activity. But whichever day we start, it's always possible to change old bad habits, and we can also take steps to help our children eat more consciously and healthily.
The role models they see at home from their parents mean a lot to children. If there are never any vegetables at home, or the parents themselves don't like trying new things, we can't expect our children to do the opposite. Of course, we don't have to force them to try new flavours and dishes, but we can stimulate their curiosity with a unique way of serving or preparing something.
And if you offer the same ingredient several times, even in different forms, there is a better chance that one type will appeal to you.
For example, blueberries can be served independently, as part of a fruit soup, in homemade rice pudding, or as an ingredient in a muffin with low-sugar, whole-meal flour.
Children often eat vegetables with less enthusiasm than fruit. Some practice may help. For example, by shopping together, they can choose which vegetables to put in the basket, help in the kitchen at home to prepare the food or buy a storybook with vegetables as the main characters to choose more of the goodies at the table. Or you can name the dishes after fairy-tale characters.
Children love colourful things, so fruits and vegetables can also be an excellent base for a rainbow salad, which you can also create together, asking your child for their opinion on which colour, and which ingredient should represent which colour.
To help you find your way around the maze of healthy eating, the following links will help you find a nutrition guide for children aged 6-17 and adults.