We need to choose a diet that is adequate for the proper development of the child with respect to both quality and quantity. A relaxed atmosphere during meal times is also very important in regards to the quality of the diet.
The healthy diet should fulfil the following 5 criteria:
The diet needs to be a long-term lifetime diet that you can follow indefinitely.
You need a diet for yourself and your children that does not need to be adjusted from time to time. It is not possible to change eating habits drastically because there is a limit to the body's ability to adapt to sudden change. You need to assist your body's proper functioning and not subject it to even more tests. Your child will not seek out today’s fad diets if a healthy nutritional foundation has been established in his or her early years.
Versatile, diverse
Before too long, a bad diet will result in a chronic deficiency that often leads to the development of diseases as well.
Strive to create a variety of meals, combining different colours, flavours etc. Try not to stick to one favourite dish since there are hundreds of different exciting foods. Always make an effort to discover various new dishes. If a particular nutrient is important to the development of your children, make sure to incorporate it into their diet.
Consistent
Teach your children how to establish a relationship with their own body and to understand the signs and signals of their body instantly. The body will always signal if the quality or quantity of the food is not optimal. Often kids have good instincts about food when they do not want to eat a certain food or when they refuse to finish their plate. You need to be considerate of your kids’ instincts so make sure not to "force feed" your children.
Moderate and enjoyable
It is important to feed your child based on nutritional value rather than just on taste alone. Eating should foremost be the quenching of a physical need.
Be strict and moderate at the same time. It is not necessary to forbid the enjoyment of heavenly delights. If the child is of optimal physical weight and development, the consumption of a little bit of snack food is not going to be the end of the world. If, on the other hand, you forbid your kid to have some indulgence, the constant restraint will create additional tension. Children are rather intelligent and as soon as they are not allowed a particular food, they will do everything they can to get it.
Ability to adapt
It is important to take into account your geographic location and climate and plan meals accordingly. Local meat and produce products are filled with beneficial physical energy. The nutrient composition of food imported from distant locations have nutrient compositions only meant to support the development of those who live in those locations. Locally grown food, therefore, is better to support the growth of the local population.