Your child making a face at the plate of steamed vegetables might be funny from time to time – but if this is too prevalent a trend, then there’s a problem.

As a parent, you want nothing but a bright future for your child, where they’re happy, thriving, and healthy. That can’t be a reality if they’re too dependent on sweets, junk-food, sugary goods and the like.

So, teaching healthy eating habits is practically your duty. Of course, this is no overnight process; it’s all about taking little steps. Here are some ways you can get your child to get used to healthy eating habits:

Include Them In The Process

One of the major reasons why children cringe at the sight of broccoli is because it’s what they least expect. However, if you remove the element of surprise from it all, you’ll find that it’ll be a lot easier for your child to accept healthy food choices.

When shopping for groceries, buy fresh produce with them; show them how colourful the vegetables and fruits are (maybe even let them pick their favourite colour!) and let them know how yummy they will taste. Nurturing their excitement throughout the process this way will make them enjoy their food once they see it on the table.

Keep Healthy Snacks Within Reach

Your child may swallow their veggies at the dining table, but that won’t stop them trying to reach for the cookie jar when nobody’s looking!

Whether it’s at home or at school, children look forward to snacking, so keep a range of healthy options within reach. Carrot sticks, cucumbers and dip, whole grain crackers, and the works – these are healthy snack options that are fulfilling, refreshing, and tasty. Once your child gets used to snacks like these, they’ll gravitate towards more healthy options almost by instinct in the future.

Model Healthy Habits Yourself

It’s always easier to order your children to eat healthy – but the effort is pointless if you don’t model it yourself.

Children build their own habits from their parents, so if you stick to healthy eating choices, then your child will inevitably follow your suit. From meals to miscellaneous snacks, keep your options as healthy as possible. Show them that healthy food keeps their body and their mind happy and active.

Don’t Ban Junk-food Immediately

Though this might sound counterproductive, it actually works. If you completely remove junk-food out of your child’s life, they’ll find themselves craving for it even more.

Instead, limit junk-food slowly and surely. If they’re allowed to snack on chips twice a day, reduce it to one for a few weeks. Then go for a handful, until they completely lose their dependency on chips. This tactic works because children find it easier to let go of something they know they can’t have.


Children learn what they live, and if they learn healthy, then they’ll surely live healthy. Nurseries in JLT are well aware of this, and so is Oakfield Early Learning Centre. In fact, this daycare centre has its own Snack & Lunch guidelines that informs parents on what kind of healthy food to bring and enjoy. This way, parents can be sure that their children’s eating habits are monitored even outside their house.

These steps won’t work right away, so it’s all about patience and commitment. The sooner your child accepts the benefits of healthy eating, the better will their future be.