How to Increase the ‘Eat Q’ of the Kids

Eating together in the class room with other friends is how kids learn to make healthy food choices, to communicate with others and to master table manners. But here you as a teacher need to play the most vital role of teaching them healthy food habits and instilling the sense of healthy eating and its importance among them. Also the kids are staying for a long time in school hence you need to take care of their proper nutrition as well. If you insist that young kids sit with the friends at a certain time even if they are not ready for it at that time or are refusing to eat, they will start to become skilled at the rules of dining together. Here is how you can make hay while the sun shines.

First you need to set up a healthy regular snack and meal schedule in school. Most kids do well with one meal and one snack while in school. When the kid’s body is used to a proper time schedule for meal and snack, hunger and appetite are more regular. This helps the young person feel more in adjust with his or her body.
You also need to have the child eat a healthy meal time. Suggest their parents to pack fruits, vegetables, yogurt, cereals, bread, meat, dry fruits etc. for their meal. Make sure that they do not eat junk foods, fast foods, chocolates, sweet or fried foods regularly. It may suits their taste buds but will result into weigh gain, cavities, stomach problem and other diseases.

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But you should keep in mind that the food should be also tasty which they will be eager to eat. Find at least one food that the child likes, offering healthy and tasty snacks that the child will enjoy. Keep the meal time interesting, pleasant and positive. For example you can take a balanced approach by cheering healthier treats and smaller piece of those treats. Like get the kids in the habit of sharing one small bowl of French fries once in a while.
Another is to confirm a meal and snacks time and limit meals to a reasonable length of time. Eating lunch should not take longer than 30 minutes. If essential, you can even create an organized meal and snacks sitting arrangement.
After you promote a healthy meal time and food schedule, encourage the kids to drink a lot of water and limit sweet drinks. As a teacher it is also your duty to teach them the importance of drinking water and that they never go thirsty. Also offer lots of vegetables and fruits every day. For example, add some fruit to the kid’s snack, and include some carrot sticks in the kid's lunch.

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Another effective way instilling interest and love for fruits and veggies among the kids is to have them grow some vegetables or fruits in school garden. Let the kids have their own plants to take care of. Or you can keep some cooking classes where the kids can make their own salads or fruit shake. This will add a new dimension to their eating schedule.
Finally keep in mind that you are the one whom they look up to so be a good role model. If kids see you are trying to eat right and getting physically active it will send a message that good health and right eating is absolutely essential.