Unhealthy Preferences Development In Children

Are you tired of getting your kids to eat more vegetables and why is it such a difficult task to do so?

Not wanting to eat broccoli, for instance, is rooted in a great deal of more complicated issues than just not liking green foods.

Food preferences are the factors responsible for such actings. During the first 2 years of life where adopting new food habits at its peak, food preferences are also developing. Most are learned, but some are innate too. Child food preferences are linked to the eating behavior, which linked to overall health, wellness, and obesity development as well.

For years now, foods and beverages manufacturers uses their knowledge to take advantage and encourage the development of unhealthy food preferences in children through marketing techniques.

Healthy foods are advertised for less than 3% of the time comparing to their counterparts. For instance, fast food industry spend nearly 5 billion dollars a day marketing products that are high in sugar, fat, and salt with suggestion of disproportion to a child's energy needs. Using of the toy tie-in with major children's motion pictures attract them and increase their crave for unhealthy foods.

The problem with Baby and Toddler Snacks:

Taking control of reducing sodium and sugar intakes at early stages can help with setting taste preferences and help children make healthy food choices later in life.

However, UConn Rudd Center for food policy & Obesity found that only 4 out of 80 baby and toddler snacks met the nutritious standards. Moreover, 50% of baby food snacks and 83% of toddler food snacks contained added sweeteners.

What parents can do?

Take stock of sugar: parents should make more effort spotting the amount of sugar come from the kids snacks
Spot "sneaky" sugar: many foods marketed as healthy foods can be loaded with added sugar. Always check the labels to determine the sugar content. more than 20 g of sugar per serving need a reconsideration.
Keep beverages simple: stick with milk including non dairy milk and water as your child's main beverage. Although 100% fruit juice is acceptable, be aware to offer it at appropriate age (non under 6 months and no more 4 to 6 oz per day for older children).
Avoid rewards with sugar: In reality kids value other "treats" just as much as sugary ones. Be creative about other rewards options that are less in sugar content and more beneficial for your kid.
Find balance: It is hard to keep children completely staying away from sugary treats, however, teaching them how to balance by showing them that an occasional dessert or sweet treat can be part of a balanced diet is OK in moderation.