A Common Question We Get Asked at Backcountry Is: “How Can I Help My Child Have a Healthy Relationship With Food?”
Many parents struggle with knowing the right steps to take, so to help get you started, we’ve identified the top 7 ways you can engage with your child in a healthy way surrounding food.
- Make mealtimes fun and enjoyable: Try to eat together as a family as often as possible. Encourage your child to join you at the table. Use this time together to enjoy each other’s company.
- Avoid power struggles over food: Forcing your child to eat certain foods will only cause conflict. Don’t be the food police, trying to constantly monitor your child’s behavior
- Do what you can to promote self-esteem. Give each child the same encouragement and support.
- Set a positive example: Be mindful of how you talk about your body and your eating. Avoid self-critical remarks or negative comments about yourself or others appearances.
- Look for recipes that your child can help you with. Allow them to take an active part in meal preparation.
- Plant a family garden together. Learn where foods come from and how to take them from the garden to the kitchen.
- Try new Foods. Introduce a new food each week, this is a great way to create awareness and eliminate eating the same foods day after day.