How to protect children from junk food?

In recent years, much has been written about forbidden foods for children but many parents do not understand how to protect their children from them.

Great and working advice was given by the famous German diabetologist and nutritionist Matthias Riedl, Arguments and Facts reported.

According to the nutritionist, you can convince your child that the new product is delicious by using these little tricks:

1. Consistently introduce your child to vegetables and other healthy foods.

Healthy foods like bell peppers, leafy salads, whole-grain bread, and legumes should be present in a child's environment as naturally as toys.

2. Add new foods to familiar ones.

Does your child like pasta with tomato sauce? Mix in some basil or oregano. Does he ask for mashed potatoes every day? Add mashed carrots first, then chopped spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, etc.

Remember: all children love bright colors. And the brighter the better.

3. Offer new foods in a playful way.

Children are not small adults, who can be persuaded by reasonable arguments. Unlike adults, they are almost always guided by primary needs. And that is to be satiated and to have fun. Food satiates, and play pleases. So offer healthy foods in a playful way.

4. Use your child's egocentrism.

Use the inherent reflex of all children - "this is mine!". In the first years of life, children unconsciously consider everything they see as their own. Psychologists call this egocentrism: the child feels like the center of the world.

How does this work? For example, put a piece of red bell bell pepper next to the child's plate. Like the toys in the sandbox, he will consider it part of his world.

5. Don't lose patience.

Be patient, don't be discouraged if something doesn't work right away and the child doesn't appreciate your efforts. It's temporary, they will definitely work.

6. Make junk food unavailable.

First and foremost, Dr. Riedl relates this advice to sugar and sweets. Your child just doesn't need them before the age of 3, and they always go to his detriment. If he grows up indifferent to the sweet taste, it will be the healthiest gift for him in life.

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