Getting your preschooler to eat healthy foods can be a challenging experience. Sometimes mealtimes turn into a frustrating and stressful event of trying to get your preschool child to eat a well-balanced meal. Here are some ideas to make sure your child is eating healthy foods and enjoying a pleasant mealtime.
Use a colorful, fun plate for your child’s food. Inexpensive plates with divided sections are easy to find. You can choose seasonal plates, or have your child help pick out the plates with you. Remember to keep portion sizes small so your child won’t feel overwhelmed by a large amount of food on his plate. Make sure to include at least one of your child’s favorite foods on his plate along with a variety of other choices.
For breakfast, serve smoothies as a quick, easy treat especially during the hot summer months. Try a variety of seasonal fruits blended with yogurt or milk. Another breakfast idea is to spread a pancake with peanut butter and place sliced banana on top. Eggs provide a good source of protein and can be served soft boiled, scrambled with cheese, or in mini quiches perfectly sized for little fingers to handle.
Lunch is a good time to have your preschooler help you prepare the food. Have them help make kabobs with ham, turkey, and cheese cubes skewered on pretzel sticks. Instead of using sandwich bread, experiment with small pita pockets or flour tortillas stuffed with hummus and shredded vegetables. Most children love dips and sauces. Try using yogurt, caramel sauce, hummus, ranch dressing, cheese sauce, and salsa with a variety of crackers and raw vegetables. For a quick lunch, serve a soft pretzel with string cheese and fruit on the side.
Dinner is when most families try to have some time together. Be a good example for you preschooler, and eat some of the foods they are eating. Pizza can be a healthy option when topped with a variety of vegetables and makes a great leftover lunch for the next day. Serve vegetable soup with grilled cheese sandwiches or baked beans on toast for a hearty meal. Preschoolers usually like pasta, so try experimenting with different colors and shapes of pasta served with a simple sauce. A lean hamburger topped with a silly face made of olives, ketchup, red pepper, or other toppings will get some giggles from your preschooler.
There’s no need to insist your child finish everything on his plate. It may take awhile before he feels comfortable trying new foods. Sometimes the same food prepared a different way can entice your child. For example, serve frozen fruit like sliced bananas or blueberries. Individual sized pizzas can be made on crackers or English muffins for a lunch time treat. By being creative and providing variety, you can help your child enjoy nutritious meals.
