Tips
Make Mealtime Family Time
Busy schedules can make it tough to do, but eating together as a family can have a positive influence on your young child's eating habits. Here are tips for making the most of family mealtimes:
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Give young children a job, such as putting napkins or silverware on the table. Make your child feel part of the process. |
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Serve food family style, and let your child decide how much he can eat. We overwhelm children when we give them portions that are too big. Trust them-they know what they can handle. |
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Be patient when your child is trying a new food. Research shows that it takes eight to 10 tastes-a lick, a bite, or a spoonful-for a child to accept a new food. |
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Experts advise introducing new foods twice a week. Pair a new food with a familiar food, and let your child help prepare the new food. Positive comments about the food from other family members also help. |
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