Fussy eaters, milkaholics, screen time addicts, serial snackers – there are so many possible issues that can occur when it comes to kids and healthy eating at meal time.
If meal times are a battlefield at your house, try implementing some of our tried and tested tips below to help you encourage healthy eating for the whole family. 
1. Help them to stay focused
Kids are easily distracted, so help them pay attention by removing anything that is likely to catch their eye.
Turn off the TV, put mobile phones on silent, and take toys out of reach.
Set the scene for meal time by setting the table to eat as a family. Kids pick up on cues from you, so try to keep yourself calm in the lead up to dinner (this may be easier said than done!).
Offer meals and snacks at regular times, and don’t let the kids get too hungry as this can often lead to negative behaviour.
2. Make meals fun
You don’t need to be carving radishes into roses every night, but you can try to make everyday foods more appealing to little eyes.
- Use crinkle cutters for carrots to give them a new texture (and make them easier for babies to grab on to)
- Make sweet potato wedges instead of mash for a change
- Get the kids to help choose the veggies at the supermarket (especially one they haven’t tried before)
- Ask older kids to help you choose which side dishes to serve with a meal
- Invite one of your child’s friends over for dinner as this can encourage them to try new things.
3. Start off with small portions
A whole plate full of food can overwhelm a fussy eater or a child who is not overly hungry.
Start off with small amounts on their plate, and offer them more if they finish it.
If you have something that you know they like on their plate they may feel more comfortable about trying something new that is next to it.
4. Keep your cool
You might be exasperated but yelling or trying to bribe a toddler to eat their dinner doesn’t usually work in the long run.
Try not to make too much of a fuss about mess – this is how children learn about food and eating.
If they have been offered food and it hasn’t been eaten, just clear it away and move on. If you are worried that your child regularly skips meals, you can try first to stop offering snacks and see if that helps.
Try to talk about the tastes and colours of foods, how they are so good for you, and why we need to be fit and healthy.
It’s best to avoid talking about any of your own dislikes in front of children, as they might try to copy. 
6. Praise good behaviour
It’s so easy to get caught up focusing on the bad behaviour at the dinner table.
Be sure to compliment your child when they use their cutlery properly, try a new vegetable, drink their water without spilling it, or pass items to someone else.
7. Involve them in the weekly meal plan
We love the idea of meal planning as it can save you money (see more on that here) and it sets you up for the week in terms of shopping and preparation.
Get the kids involved in helping you to choose the meals. Write up the plan and place it on the fridge.
Kids love knowing what is happening ahead of time, and it also means you can avoid caving in to pressure for take away or unhealthy meals.
If a child says they don’t want to eat something you can then say ‘But we agreed as a family that we would have roast chicken tonight, remember?’
Love the Healthy Mummy Team xx
Looking for ideas for kid friendly meals?
You could try:
