Good nutrition for your kids

by Kwanele Mathebula
ThinkstockPhotos
It is easy to turn to ready-made meals and snacks when it comes to your child’s nutrition – especially after a long day at work and it seems easier to just pop something into the microwave. But when it comes to your child’s good eating habits, it is up to you to make them routine. This is because good nutrition from a young age sets them up for a healthy adulthood. Following a well-balanced diet leads to improved long-term health, and can prevent health issues when they are older.
Keep these easy steps in mind when helping your child develop healthy food habits:
1. Expose your children to a wide variety of foods and good eating behaviours (modelled by you). This will help to modify their food preferences.
2. Let your kids help to pick out the food at the grocery store, and then help you prepare the meals. They are more likely to eat and enjoy the healthy meals if they help to prepare them. You can also use this time to teach them more about good nutrition.
3. Tweak your daily meals slightly to make them healthier and more nutritious without changing the taste too much. That way, your kids are more likely to eat it. This is also a good way to slowly cut down on sugar.4. Opt for wholegrain bread and cereals because they provide more vitamins and fibre.

5. Reduce fat intake by rather grilling, baking or steaming instead of frying food. You can also serve skinless chicken and lean cuts of meat.

6. Eat snacks as nutritious as possible by rather making them at home. You should also eat a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables.

• Drink a lot of water and healthy beverages such as milk.

Nestlé NANKID OPTIPRO 4 is a wonderful drink for children aged from three to five. It is a source of protein, contains naturally active cultures as well as omega-3 and 6 fatty acids.

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STAND A CHANCE TO WIN!
Nestlé NANKID OPTIPRO 4 is giving away a hamper worth R1 000 to one lucky BONA reader. The hamper consists of a Lego Duplo set, branded apron, colouring book, puzzle, and Nestlé NANKID OPTIPRO 4.

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

  1. Competition closes on the 31st of January 2018.
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  3. No under 18s are allowed to enter.
  4. The overall winners will be chosen in a random draw and will be notified by email.
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