Are you a Good Role Model?

Children are very keen observers of what significant adults in their lives are doing. As well as parents, this will include grandparents, extended family members, family friends and even older brothers and sisters.

Here are some key questions to ask yourself

• Do I eat regular meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner? If not, how can I expect my child to do so?
• Do I always eat healthy nutrient dense fresh foods? If not, how can I expect my child to?
• Do I pick at food and not eat particular vegetables? Your child will mimic this. If mum or dad is a picky eater and isn’t willing to eat the new foods, neither will the child.
• Where do I eat meals? In front of the TV? At the kitchen bench? On the run driving to work?
• Does my family sit together and enjoy the majority of breakfasts and evening meals together?
• Do I share the same meal as my child or do I expect them to eat something different?

When it comes to healthy eating, the best thing you can do as a parent is to be a good role model. Don’t expect your child to eat foods that you won’t.

What your child learns about food begins with you. You may not realise it but you are continually educating your child about food on a daily basis, especially during the first 10 years or so of their life.

Research shows that most picky eaters grow out of this stage when they are ready and particularly where the closest role models (parents) have healthy eating habits for them to emulate.

Children want to be “mini you”, be just like mum and dad. Most parents notice, comment on and smile at imitative behaviors such as talking on a pretend mobile phone like mum or dad BUT have you made the connection between imitation of your own eating habits and your child’s eating habits?