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First, and most important, if you want your kids to have healthy eating habits, then you must set a good example! Be a good role model. If you are eating healthy it will be much easier to convince children to do the same.

Deciding what to have for breakfast, lunch or dinner is very challenging these days. Childhood obesity, diabetes, and other food-related ailments are the talk on the news almost every day. Keep your refrigerator and your pantry stocked with healthy food. Have a wide variety of fruits and other healthy snacks available at all times.

Children who develop healthy eating patterns when they're young have a much easier time maintaining those habits when they are older so we should start teaching our children to eat nutritious food when they are very young. Prepare a healthy meal and serve it at the family dinner table. Have pleasant conversations while eating your family meals. Leave out the bickering and arguments and enjoy the great moments of your lives while together at the table. Children will remember these times and will continue when they are older.

Plan your snacks. Of course, do not deprive your child of occasional chips or cookies. Occasional is the key word. Snack time is also very important. Make sure you do not spoil your child's appetite for his main meal. If your child is allowed to continuously snack, it could lead to overeating and possibly even obesity.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, never use food to punish a child! If you send your child to bed without any supper, he may worry about being hungry and then he will eat whenever he has a chance. Also, if sweets are used for a reward, your child may think that they are better and will send an incorrect message to him. If you tell him that if he eats all of his vegetables, he can have a piece of pie, he will think more of the sweet food then the vegetable.

On a final note, check with your child's school to make sure he is getting a balanced diet. Find out what meals they serve or pack a lunch for your child.

Learn more about this author, Cheryl Gregory.
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