Make Toddler Avoid Junk Food

My article published in oneindia.com:  http://www.boldsky.com/pregnancy-parenting/toddler/2013/make-toddler-avoid-junk-food-033437.html

Children who consume junk food are at higher risk of serious health problems like obesity, diabetes, heart problems, cancer and hormonal imbalances. The colours, oils, preservatives and taste enhancers are considered as severe contributors to many  serious health problems. Junk foods are manufactured only to taste good and not to enhance your health. Junk foods are quick, tasty and trendy.

Even though we know that junk foods are not healthy, it is difficult to make a toddler understand what a healthy food choice is. As a parent, you should always consider food as an important part of a healthy and happy family. Your toddler will begin to eat a variety of healthy foods as she becomes adept, however, there are a few things that should remain off the menu until they are capable enough to make a healthy food choice of their own. Here are some easy tips for you to stop your toddler from having junk food.

Make Toddler Avoid Junk Food  

1. Create a healthy food habit: As a toddler, your child is at the right age to be trained to make a healthy food habit. It is very essential to create a healthy eating habit in toddlers since this is what they will follow throughout their life.

2. Handy healthy snacks: Always keep some healthy and tasty snacks ready for your toddler. It should be kept at a reachable place, so that your kids can manage to get it whenever they are hungry. Remember to keep some snacks with you when you go for a shopping or for an outing.

3. No junk food at home: It is not practical to keep away  junk food from your toddler when you already have a habit of taking it at home. Prepare healthy food at home and let your toddler get used with healthy foods than tasty  junk foods.

4. Instruct your daycare staff: If you are giving your toddler in a daycare centre, do not forget to instruct the caretaker about avoiding junk food.Since your toddler spends most of their time in the daycare centre, chances are more that they develop or modulate their basic habits from there.

5. Be a good example: Toddlers always consider parents as their role model and what you practice will become their habit.So, if you want to stop your toddler from having junk food, first you have to stop it.

6. Introduce varieties of foods:Toddlers are always active and dynamic which demands lots of energy. It is important to introduce new varieties of healthy foods to your toddlers so that they will be interested in homemade foods.

Plot a healthy food plan for your family.  Follow it and offer a healthy life ahead for your toddler.

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