Getting kids to eat properly

Ni ada artikel yang dipetik dr The Star 28/6/05. Just ambil sikit info from that article. Good info for mummy and mummy-to-be.

Mealtimes are determined by a child's eating habits. Sometimes he/she eats slowly, sometimes fast and sometimes not at all. However, most parents don't realise that their eating habits are very much influenced by a parent's character as well. Yes, how a parent behaves toward and during a childs mealtime can make a lot of difference.

You Eat, He/She Eats
So, if you don't like broccoli chances are, your child doesn't too. Children by nature follow what adults do. When a parent becomes too fussy with what they eat, they - the children - think it's all right to be choosy with their own food too. Spend minutes picking spring onions from your soup and don't be surprised when you see your child doing the same later on.
Parents are a child's first teachers. And the first lesson you have to impart to your child is to eat right. This means that even if you don't like broccoli, you've got to prepare it for your child. Broccoli contains the all important calcium, iron & essential B vitamins necessary for a child's physiological development. And remember to keep your child to a balanced dietary intake, daily. That means, no skipping meals or changing eating times.

Bribing
A big no-no. You might think it's okay to promise a child some sweet dessert if he/she finishes his/her meal but it truly isn't. First, the psychological effect. This bribe is like an incentive for his effort but do you realise that he/she might grow up expecting "reward" fro everything he/she does? Second, health. Your child might get too eager for his/her after-dinner reward that he/she gobbles up his/her food and doesn't chew properly. Result- Indigestion and tummy problems.
Instead of bribing, what you should do to get your child to eat is teach him to enjoy his food. Tell him what each food is good for. And lead by example: finish your own plate and he'll soon learn to do the same.

Spare the Rod
This is quite similar to bribing. Instead of rewarding, you're punishing your child instead for his eating habits. Too tired abd frustrated after chasing him around or cajoling him to take yet another bite, you might think it's easier to just beat him into submission. Well, don't.
According to registered dietician and family therapist Ellyn Satter, children, especially those in the age groups of six to ten, are still experimenting with their food intake. It's the growing period when they decide which food they like and dislike. So, when they're refusing to eat certain food, ask yourself: maybe he really doesn't like it. Instead of forcing your child to eat, let him take his own course. Children are by nature curious. Let them try out certain food by themselves, at their own pace. But you can help: by being a little creative in your cooking. Try to prepare a single dish in different ways.

Complete vitamins
Some parents think serving their kids orange juice and vegetables daily is enough to ensure their healthy growth. Maybe they think vitamins are only found in greens and fruits. Well, know this: each vegetable and fruit contain vital vitamins for your child's growth and development. Even though vegetables provide some B vitamins, they're only in small quantities. And citrus fruits provide mainly Vitamin C. Truth is, vitamin B, vitamin D and vitamin E are found in other foods. For example, vitamin B3 can be found in seeds and beans; vitamin D in salmon, tuna and milk; and vitamin E in wheat and whole grain cereals.

So parents, ensure your children are well nourished by serving them the right food. Having children is not just fun and games.

Having a child requires proper parenting and big responsibilities.