โBuilding a Healthy Nutrition Routine at the Dinner Tableโ
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Intro:
A healthy lifestyle for kids starts right at the dinner table! Research shows that regular family meals can improve childrenโs nutrition, encourage healthy habits, and strengthen family bonds (Hammons & Fiese, 2011). So how can you turn mealtime into a simple, effective wellness routine?
Body:
๐ฅ Small habits, big impact:
Eating together as a family encourages kids to try new foods and learn balanced portions. It also reduces the risk of picky eating and poor nutrition.
๐ Easy ways to add nutrition:
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Offer colorful fruits and veggies as side dishes.
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Add a small serving of kidsโ vitamins with a glass of water or milk.
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Use divided plates to teach kids about food groups.
A 2018 study found that family meals at least three times a week were linked to better intake of fruits, vegetables, and essential nutrients (Utter et al., 2018).
โ Tips to make it stick:
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Let kids help prepare or set the table.
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Keep mealtime tech-free for better connection.
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Praise kids for trying new foods!
Closing:
A mindful mealtime routine helps kids build healthy habits for life. Small steps, big difference โ right from the dinner table! ๐ฆโจ
๐ References:
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Hammons, A. J., & Fiese, B. H. (2011). Is frequency of shared family meals related to the nutritional health of children and adolescents? Pediatrics.
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Utter, J., Denny, S., et al. (2018). Family meals and the well-being of adolescents. Journal of Family Psychology.