Children acquire many habits that they will use throughout their lives. One of them is eating habits. In this period, “children's eating habits; It is formed by the interaction of various factors such as the social and economic status of the family, education level, habits, customs and traditions, and environmental conditions. and the balanced diet habit gained during this period ensures that children receive the necessary energy and calories for their growth, and that they are resistant to diseases and healthy. The attitudes of the parents towards their children in general affect their eating attitudes as well as all their behaviors. Therefore, there may be many different reasons for a change in children's behavior regarding food. If there is a problem with food, first the reason should be investigated.
Children should consume adequate amounts of various foods in four food groups and in a balanced way in order to have a healthy diet. Milk, yogurt in the dairy group, meat, chicken, eggs, cheese, legumes, vegetables and fruits in the meat group, and bread, bulgur, pasta, rice, etc. in the cereal group. It is recommended that foods be consumed in sufficient quantities at each meal.
It is important for children to consume 2-3 glasses of milk or yoghurt and 1 matchbox of white cheese, especially for bone and tooth development. If 1 egg, 500 ml of milk or yoghurt, 1 meatball as much as 1 meatball or 1 portion of legumes are consumed in the daily nutrition plan, protein intake is sufficient for the child.
The most important meal for children is breakfast. After starving all night long, our body and brain need energy to start the day. Care should be taken to ensure that children acquire the habit of having breakfast regularly every morning. Cheese, boiled egg, fresh fruit juice, a few slices of bread or 1 glass of milk, pastry, tangerine are an adequate and balanced breakfast example for children. and it is possible with the consumption of main meals. Therefore, meals should not be skipped. It is most appropriate to take the foods to be consumed daily in 3 main meals and 2 snacks.
High levels of sugar and sugary foods are not positive for children's nutrition. There is a close relationship between sugar intake and loss of appetite and tooth decay. In order to reduce or minimize this risk, it is recommended not to consume sugary drinks, sweets, biscuits and chocolate, especially not to be given to children in between meals, and to consume fresh fruits instead of these foods.
In the nutrition of preschool children compared to adults and school-age children Sugar provides much more of the energy taken from food. When we look at the diets of children who consume a high amount of sugar, the main source of sugar is fruit candies, instant fruit juices and cola drinks. Instead of these drinks, freshly squeezed fruit juices, milk, ayran, etc. Consumption of beverages should be preferred.
For a healthy life, it is very important for children to acquire the habit of washing hands and brushing their teeth. Dirty hands can be the cause of many diseases, from a simple cold to fatal hospital infections. For this reason, it is necessary for children to get into the habit of washing their hands by rubbing them thoroughly with soap under warm running water, especially before and after eating, after going to the toilet, after playing outside, and when they come home from outside.
Do whatever the child wants. Don't try to feed him. Behaviors such as showing excessive interest in the child, endless tolerance, obeying his wishes, doing whatever he wants, giving the child are not good but evil. With unlimited tolerance, a measured and balanced personality cannot develop.
Do not try to feed the child by having fun. It is not right to try to get the child to eat by singing, dancing, watching TV, chasing him, or diverting his attention with other movements. It is not an appropriate attitude to rush the child while eating or to allow him to be distracted unnecessarily. Telling other children that they are weak and frail because they do not eat enough, that other children eat well, Behaviors such as trying to feed them with jealousy are wrong.
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