The National Consumers League reports that children as young as 2 years old exhibit food preferences and eating habits, stemming from their parent's food choices. This information underlines the importance of teaching healthy eating from a very early age. Proper planning and a bit of direction help parents overcome the challenges of busy lifestyles and the abundance of poor food choices.
Establish Family Mealtime
Establishing a regular mealtime routine helps children to develop a habit of when to eat, resulting in less mindless grazing throughout the day. According to KidsHealth, children who eat at an established family mealtime consume more fruits, vegetables and grains.
Provide a Variety of Healthy Snacks
Children snack on convenient foods, so keep healthy snack options readily available. Stock up on fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, whole-wheat crackers and low-fat yogurt. Limit the amount of empty calorie foods and surgary snacks in your kitchen.
The No Thank You Bite
Persuading younger children to try new foods sometimes requires creativity. Allow your child to refuse a food only after taking a "no thank you" bite. Such a rule encourages your child to try new foods while allowing her to retain a feeling of control. After tasting a food on several occasions, your child might develop an affinity for a food she previously disliked.
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