Why Nature Conscious Kids Will Be Better Eaters

Healthy Family
Written By Mariano Clement Gupana

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For a majority of human history, food scarcity was a major threat to survival for man. Since then, eating habits have evolved in response to this challenge. Ages ago, healthy, and nutritious foods were hard to come by. In sharp contrast today, palatable, ready to eat and inexpensive foods are easily available. Growing up in the current environment of dietary surplus and reduced physical activity, children’s eating behaviors have changed substantially. The hectic lifestyle we lead doesn’t help to improve the situation either. It leaves little to no time to focus on developing a child’s good food behavior.

The first five years are a time of fast physical growth. These years serve as the foundations for future eating patterns to develop. In this time, a child learns what, when and how much to eat depending on the environment around them.

With less time on our hands nowadays, the importance given towards family meals has greatly reduced, as fast and easy alternatives are on the rise. This consequently has led to unhealthy food preferences in children. Most of the time, we as parents, are concerned with the food intake of our kids. The tactics we adopt to get them to eat like prompting to eat, pressurizing to eat, rewards for eating, withholding privileges until food is eaten, is honestly doing them more harm than we understand.

To make our kids better eaters, doesn’t mean to increase their quantity of food intake. It means to include a healthy quantity of fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts (how long do nuts last?) etc. in their diet.

With three young kids having varying food preferences, I know very well how difficult of a task this is. It is possible however, to develop gradually in kids, a liking for healthy foods. It is a slow process and requires a very positive frame of mind to inspire and excite children to eat better.

The Best Ways to Get Your Kids to Love and Respect Nature

  • Explore effective ways to instill a love and respect for nature in your children, fostering a connection with the environment and encouraging outdoor exploration.

Take Them Outdoors

Plan outdoor activities with your family. Exposure to nature helps a lot in brightening up the moods of kids and makes them more agreeable. It also opens up their minds to trying new things. Camping, hiking, rock climbing are some great examples of family activities that encourage some physical exertion from kids, which is highly recommended. Burning energy outdoors makes them calmer and promotes good social behaviors.

Grow a Backyard Garden Together

In a study found online, The Journal of the American Dietetic Association stated that kids who get involved in the process of growing their food are more likely to eat their vegetables and fruits.

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Gardening can do wonders to a child’s eating behavior. The experience of potting, tending and caring for their little gardens gives a high sense of achievement and pride. Make sure you capture their excitement on film when the first signs of shoot start to show! Gardening makes kids aware of the origin of their food. You will be surprised to know what the kids can eat once they grow it themselves! Don’t be disappointed if the growth doesn’t take off the first time around, as it can take a few trial attempts till the fruits start to bloom.  Let them sample the fruit right off the plant to taste the fruits of labor. Take their help in preparing the veggies so that they are involved in the process from the farm till the table.

Some fail safe fun plants to grow in your kid’s little veggie garden are tomatoes, strawberries, spinach, carrots, and several herbs such as parsley, mint and cilantro!

How to Get Kids to Try New Foods

Visit a Local Regenerative Farm or Ranch

Visiting a local ranch will allow kids to see animals in their natural living environment. Let them learn the process of gently milking the cows. The curious little minds will probably love having some yogurt and cheese then! Petting and holding the chickens helps them have respect for the food on the table. Encourage kids to collect the eggs and prepare them with you in the kitchen. These activities pique their interest in eating the food that comes out of farms. Caring for livestock teaches humility and hard work, two very important pro social skills in young kids.

Remember, the process of making children fall in love with their healthy food is a long one, but this process will eventually make a permanent change in their diet style which will last forever. The memories of nurturing their gardens in your company will also positively influence their eating behaviors. So, put on some gloves, hand out some spades and garden away!

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Mariano Clement Gupana
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