| Making a meal of it...Healthy Eating for Children |
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We would all like to believe that our children eat a diet optimum to their growth and health, but how many parents can honestly claim this? There is an alarming amount of judgment surrounding our children’s eating habits. Food has become a badge of honour paraded by ‘good parents’ whose carrot crunching kids would no sooner devour a family sized bag of crisps as they would refuse their dinner and demand to eat nothing but goodies. For many of us there are battles, weekly, daily, perhaps even hourly against our children’s will to eat what they like when they like. Wherever we are, between these two extremes, most of us encounter some difficulty persuading our children to make positive dietary choices. There has never been more pressure from the media, and in turn our own children, to keep a constant supply of junk, albeit good tasting junk, in the cupboards. At the other end of the spectrum we are constantly reminded that the UK has the largest number of obese children in Europe. We all know the slogan five a day - the healthy way, that we should say no to white bread, yes to wholegrain, no to pre packaged foods, yes to home-made, and most of us try our best but certainly have more pressing things to do than stay home and bake (wholegrain) cookies all day.
We fear change, as do our children so there will inevitably be some teething problems if we’re introducing new ways of eating and new foods to them. The advice is, where possible, to start young. ‘If you start off by offering the complete range of foods when babies are beginning to take solids there shouldn't be a problem. Of course there will always be exceptions to the rule but allowing them to take control at an early age is pandering to them. You will lose control and mealtimes will become a nightmare,’ says Jayne. This was proven in a story I recently heard about a five year old who would eat nothing but cereal. After months of bribing, pleading and chastising it was time to play hardball, and it worked. ‘If you have allowed your child to grow up a fussy eater and you decide enough is enough then you have to be brave, as no doubt there will be tears and tantrums to deal with’ warns Jayne. ‘Give them what you are offering and if it is refused or just not eaten in the timescale of the family sitting together at a meal simply clear the plates away, including the uneaten one, without saying a word,’ suggests Jayne. ‘There is no dessert offered of course. No arguments, no cross words, just actions.’ The same method is suggested for children who refuse to eat or eat very sporadically. Naturally the temptation is to give in to whatever it is that they will eat whenever they will eat it. But the chances are that they will make unhealthy choices leaving no room for the good stuff. And it is these treats that get us hooked, have little or no nutritional value and leave a hungry, unsatisfied feeling, which brings us to the other end of the scale- children who overeat. ‘Overeating often occurs when the diet is not providing the nutrients needed by the body. It may be high in empty, sugar/fat filled calories and low in nutrients - vitamins and minerals,’ says Jayne. ‘Include plenty of fresh wholesome foods, lots of colour and variety and some good quality protein at every meal or snack and they shouldn't want to overeat.’ Again there will inevitably be confrontation. But slowly better habits will emerge both in our children and us. The good news is that we are not alone in our efforts. Just when you thought that sitting your children in front of the television was bad for them Jamie Oliver, who famously spoke out on the subject of school dinners, has announced that his production company will be producing a children’s television programme ‘Made with Magic’. The show, which is planned to air on Nick Jr is described as a ‘TV show about cookery with a touch of magic’, a positive step towards reinforcing the message. There has been a ban on the airing of adverts, which promote foods, which are high in fat, salt and/or sugar during the ad breaks of television programmes aimed at children under the age of 15. And the Department of Health’s recent ‘Healthy weight, healthy lives’ initiative promises investment in healthy schools, meaning more physical activity scheduled into the school day as well as cooking becoming a compulsory part of the national curriculum. You can’t expect miracles overnight, but it’s a very healthy start. You can contact Jayne Nelson of The Kindway Nutrition and Kinesiology Centre on 01799 520684
Breakfast: Muesli with milk and banana or Egg on toast and a piece of fruit or Bacon sandwich and yoghurt
Wholegrain sandwich with a protein filling of meat or fish and some salad Dinner: Small piece of fish or meat with mashed potato, green beans and carrots Or bean casserole and wild rice with a big salad of sweet corn, beetroot, Apple crumble and custard This is very general and doesn't take into consideration any food fads or intolerances. There is also room for a small treat or mini chocolate bar. Bon appetite! Extra Info The Food Commission Research Charity has launched a new children’s food website designed to inform young teenagers about processed foods and the marketing techniques used to promote them. The website will also be useful to anyone interested in how our food is produced and its effect on our health and the environment. Go to www.chewonthis.org.uk |
As parents it is our responsibility to ensure that our children eat properly, though it is easier said than done. Nutritionist Jayne Nelson speaks to Alison Stoker about fussy eaters, overeaters and why our children are not getting enough of what they need. 
‘A child eating a well balanced diet can tolerate things such as pizza, iced buns, cakes and sweets but a diet based on these items is leading to ill health at some time,’ explains Jayne Nelson of The Kindway Nutrition and Kinesiology Centre in Saffron Walden. ‘Children only learn what they are taught,’ Jayne continues. ‘They learn to eat the foods they have been provided with. If they are provided with poor choices that will be the only foods they have experienced. If the parents have bad diets the likelihood is that the children will too.’ 