[vc_row][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1574281061640{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”2400″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Anxious that your child has strong preferences while eating? Your child would rather play than eat? Let\u2019s explore why should you seriously work on your child\u2019s nutrition and how.<\/p>\n
WHY IS THE RIGHT NUTRITION SO IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN?
\nTaittarya Upanishad talks about the Panchakosa theory of the human soul which forms the basis of the five-folded development of children. These five layers around the human soul are:<\/p>\n
\u25cf\u00a0Annamaya kosha – the food sheath\/physical body
\n\u25cf\u00a0Pranamaya kosha – the important airs of the body which govern the functions of the systems in the body
\n\u25cf\u00a0Manomaya kosha – the mind sheath
\n\u25cf\u00a0Vijnayanamaya kosha – the intellect sheath
\n\u25cf\u00a0Anandamaya kosha – the blissful spiritual sheath<\/p>\n
The Annamoya Kosha (the physical body) thrives on food and nourishment and is said to be the most vulnerable of the koshas. Any inadequacies at this level percolate through the various aspects of development. Thus, it is of prime importance to meticulously care for the nutritional needs of young children, for them to blossom completely at all other levels. Well begun is half done!<\/p>\n
Some of the ways you can help transform your picky eaters:[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1574280536364{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
With so much information around, it can be overwhelming to understand what are healthy foods in the true sense. The first step is to educate yourself about the right food choices for different age groups in different phases of life.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1574280536364{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
\u25cf Talk to your child about the food that they are eating
\nAsk them to observe the colors, textures, and shapes they see in their food. Talk about the different tastes they are experiencing while eating. Give them some tit-bits of knowledge about how the food impacts their body. For example, sharing how beets boost iron and are so good for your blood tissue.<\/p>\n
\u25cf Involve them while you cook fresh meals for them
\nSometimes, plan a cooking-date with them. Encourage them to do simple tasks like rolling their flat bread, taking peas out their pods, separating greens from the thick stems, peeling the vegetables that you have steamed\/boiled (after they cool down of course). When they see and are involved in making their own food, they will be sure to enjoy eating that![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1574280536364{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Tell them how we should all eat food we like but sometimes we eat foods which we may not like too, because they are good for your health\/body. Keep repeating this message in a positive present tense, even if they don\u2019t agree in the beginning. For example, you are so wonderful, you eat beets because they are good for you! Children are like soft clay, we need to mold them accordingly.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1574280536364{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
No matter what you may say, your actions speak for you. So,
\n\u25cf\u00a0make at least one family meal at all times
\n\u25cf\u00a0do not eat or get those food items at home, which you would not want your child to eat (e.g. chips, aerated drinks, etc.)[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1574280536364{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Children respond extremely well when they are mentally prepared with what to expect during their day. Take care that there is no irregular snacking between meals or they will not be hungry for the actual meal.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1574280536364{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Slow down and try to analyze with a deeper lens to pinpoint what needs to be worked on.
\n\u25cf\u00a0if the child says he is not hungry, reorganize his schedule to serve meals when he is hungry
\n\u25cf if he says he doesn\u2019t like a particular food, try to cook that food with him at your cooking date and make it interesting by adding one of his favorite foods to that dish
\n\u25cf if you think it\u2019s just not working, get some help to work on the child’s digestive system. Try some simple food remedies to boost his digestion\/appetite[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1574280536364{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
This is the last but the most important tip. No phones or electronic gadgets during meal times. Digestion begins when you see, smell and touch the food. It is a sacred blessing. If one is not present with all their mind and heart while eating, his\/her digestion definitely suffers at some point.<\/p>\n
If children develop a love and a relationship with the food they eat, picky eaters are sure to transform into healthy leaders with a bright future![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1574281061640{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”2400″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Anxious that your child has strong preferences while eating? Your…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2402,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[104],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2399","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"yoast_head":"\n