Anxious that your child has strong preferences while eating? Your child would rather play than eat? Let’s explore why should you seriously work on your child’s nutrition and how.
WHY IS THE RIGHT NUTRITION SO IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN?
Taittarya 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:
● Annamaya kosha – the food sheath/physical body
● Pranamaya kosha – the important airs of the body which govern the functions of the systems in the body
● Manomaya kosha – the mind sheath
● Vijnayanamaya kosha – the intellect sheath
● Anandamaya kosha – the blissful spiritual sheath
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!
Some of the ways you can help transform your picky eaters:
1. Educate yourself
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.
2. Help your child develop a relationship with the food they eat
● Talk to your child about the food that they are eating
Ask 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.
● Involve them while you cook fresh meals for them
Sometimes, 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!
3. Positive present tense
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’t 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.
4. Be your child’s ideal
No matter what you may say, your actions speak for you. So,
● make at least one family meal at all times
● do not eat or get those food items at home, which you would not want your child to eat (e.g. chips, aerated drinks, etc.)
5. Set predictable routines
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.
6. Acknowledge and work upon challenges
Slow down and try to analyze with a deeper lens to pinpoint what needs to be worked on.
● if the child says he is not hungry, reorganize his schedule to serve meals when he is hungry
● if he says he doesn’t 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
● if you think it’s just not working, get some help to work on the child’s digestive system. Try some simple food remedies to boost his digestion/appetite
7. Avoid Distractions
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.
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!