Seven Don’ts

Avoid launching your child’s nutritional future in the Wrong direction!

1. Don’t frame processed snacks, sweet or savoury, as ‘special’ foods

Why? There is nothing special about them.

These portions simply stimulate your child’s appetite and encourage eating of empty calories.

TIP: Emphasize the magic of mother nature’s foods.

Tell your child about the rainbow, the colours, tastes and textures of fruit and raw veggies. Create positive associations.

2. Don’t reward eating a healthy meal with a ” processed treat food” afterwards.

Why? Your child will never learn to eat and appreciate quality healthy meals without waiting for ‘something better’ afterwards.

TIP: Fresh fruit is always a good choice. Keep ice cream or desserts for the weekend and special occasions.

3. Don’t reward hard work or any good behaviour or achievements with snack foods.

Why? Your children associate ‘reward’ with eating Calories.

TIP: Reward them with your time and positive undivided attention.

Teach them something interesting. Share your own hobbies with them.

Show them how to enjoy “non-food nurturance”:

• Learning about the birds in your garden
• Visit the park, and practice kicking a ball
• Build a kite or a puzzle
• Reading them a story
• Planting seeds in the garden

4. Don’t negotiate with your kids to eat healthy foods.

Why? Chances are they will not listen.

TIP: Nothing is more powerful than modelling of good behaviour. Demonstrate enthusiastically, with your own healthy eating behaviour, and they will follow.

5. Don’t keep a snack cupboard at home with various generous portions of ‘temptations’ ready.

Why? You set yourself and your children up for overconsumption of high Calorie, taste stimulating snacks, with minimized nutrition value. Meals are doomed to fall away.

TIP: Encourage your child to make a considered selection of a snack, on designated days such as Wednesday and Saturday. Purchase only that 1x item, in an individualized small portion size.

6. Don’t allow your children “unconscious consumption”

Why? Watching TV or focusing on screen stimulation, destroys your child opportunity to develop any positive meal experience or civilized eating habits.

TIP: Sit at the table together. Create a positive happy vibe. Teach good table manners and conversation skills at the same time. Establish a mealtime culture within your family.

7. Don’t mess with the rhythm of their hunger. Don’t give them snacks if the ‘braai- master ‘ is late!

Why? Hunger is the best chef. Feed them immediately at the moment of hunger. Embrace the discipline and opportunity to consider their hunger cycle. Ask all members of the ‘food team’ to plan and prepare meals early enough.