5 Tips For Children To Eat Well On Vacation
We parents worry when the holidays come and the children do not eat well. Changes in daily routine and schedules influence the diet of the whole family.
On vacation we get up and go to bed later. Meal times and even the type of food that we usually consume also change. For example, not so many hot dishes are eaten, but most are cold or seasonal. Salads, gazpachos and fruit salads tend to replace spoon dishes such as stews or lentils.
5 simple tips for children to eat well on vacation
You must arm yourself with patience and try to ensure that children have a more or less healthy diet every day. It does not matter if one day you do not eat well, but it can be a problem if you do so for more than a week.
1. Keep meal times as much as possible
To prevent children from stopping eating or eating inappropriate foods, parents can try not to modify, if possible, the meal times that children usually have in a significant way. We can eat an hour later for example but not three.
On vacation, try to get the children to eat between 3 and 5 meals : breakfast, mid-morning, lunch, snack and dinner. This will prevent them from eating unhealthy meals between meals.
2. Watch meals between meals
Offer children healthy foods such as fruits, fresh cheeses, or whole grain crackers between meals. Avoid constantly eating sweets, snacks or sweets. If the children have a bag of potato chips before lunch, they will surely not be hungry afterwards.
Meals between meals are usually the most delicate when it comes to maintaining health. At these times of the day, the probability of consuming foods rich in sugars increases, which are linked to obesity according to several scientific studies.
3. Enjoy meal time on vacation
Parents can take the opportunity to talk with children away from the daily routine. Make sure the children always eat as a family. It is usually not a good idea to separate the child at another table when he eats poorly. It does not solve anything and can prevent the adaptation of the child.
The best thing for a child who eats poorly is to sit with the whole family and enjoy the moment. Parents have to praise the child when he eats well so that he is encouraged every day. Rewards work better than punishments.
A practical tip is to try not to do other activities during the meal, such as watching television or playing with the tablet. Children focus their attention on this activity and lose interest in food. Although when a child is young this activity can be used to distract him when we give him the porridge, later it can become a problem. If the child needs to watch TV to eat all the time, this will influence when it is not within reach. In addition, these children often take a long time to eat with distractions. In the end they get bored and stop eating.
Try to have mealtime in a quiet environment without distractions. Also try not to eat away from home every day even if it is vacations.
4. Water and fruits always at your fingertips
If you go to the beach, always try to ensure that the children are always hydrated. They should drink water and assorted fruits whenever possible in places with excessive heat.
Avoid excessive consumption of sugary or carbonated drinks, as they increase the risk of obesity, according to experts. It is much healthier to drink water than these types of drinks. Make sure they drink cold milk, smoothies or natural fruit juices.
5. Watch out for digestion
You also have to be careful that children do not bathe until 2 or 3 hours after eating. The time necessary for digestion must be respected. Do not let children under the age of ten go to the pool or beach alone after eating. Many water accidents happen after eating due to digestion interruptions.
To keep in mind!
Food, especially on holidays, has to be a pleasure for children. Try to make him discover new foods and flavors every day. Some practical advice that will help you if your children eat badly on vacation. But remember that it is a time of change of all the routines and surely when the children return they will resume their appetite and customs. The best advice is always to be patient!
