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SACRAMENTO , CA – February, 2007 – By offering a variety of food choices, sticking to mealtime and snack routines, and being a healthy role model, parents can help children develop good habits that will last a lifetime.

According to Judith Levine, R.D., M.S., the preschool years are an important time to instill healthy habits in children because eating patterns are established at this early age. It is also a time when many parents express concern over their children’s eating behaviors.

“Parents face many feeding obstacles as their children reach 2 years old,” said Levine. “A child’s appetite may decrease as growth slows, outside influences from television or other children start to impact a child’s food choices, and some children start to decline foods and beverages they once enjoyed as they start using utensils or switch from bottle to sippy cup.

“Despite these challenges, parents need to pay close attention to their children’s eating behaviors and teach him or her to eat healthy. Habits formed during the preschool years will impact health and wellness over a lifetime.”

Levine said there are many things parents can do to help children develop good eating habits, starting with the gradual introduction of a broader range of foods. Give children one new healthy food at a time and remember that it can take up to 15 times before children will accept the food. Include the new food on your plate too. Also, offer children small amounts of new foods. Too much on the plate can overwhelm.

One resource Levine notes that can help parents is www.mealsmatter.org. Developed by registered dietitians at Dairy Council of California, Meals Matter recently launched a series of information specifically for parents with preschool-aged children, including:

• A developmental chart detailing common eating patterns and nutritional needs at different stages of growth;
• Downloadable tip sheets offering tools for fostering healthy eating habits; and
• Numerous nutritious, kid-friendly recipes such as a fresh fruit burrito, creamy yogurt vegetable dip and hand-held ham and cheese wraps.

  A sampling of some specific tips provided on the site include:

• Establish regular snack and meal times since routines make children feel secure.
• Offer a variety of healthy foods and let your child choose how much he or she will eat of a particular food. Promote nutrient-rich choices like low-fat milk and dairy products, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
• Be a healthy role model for your child. Eat healthy meals yourself and try new foods with them.
• Parents should prepare food with their child as often as possible to get them involved in mealtimes.

“It is also important to trust your child’s ability to know when he or she is full. Children are accurate self regulators when it comes to eating,” said Levine. “Provide appropriate child-size portions to avoid overeating and help your child maintain a healthy weight.

“By staying positive, being consistent and providing a comfortable and calm environment for your child to eat, you will be on your way to raising a healthy eater.”

For more information, visit www.mealsmatter.org. Along with information on establishing good eating habits for preschoolers, Meals Matter provides busy families with nutrition information, hundreds of recipes and interactive meal planning tools.

Dairy Council of California develops nutrition education programs that are designed to be personally relevant to each user. This customization allows consumers to make decisions considering their unique needs, resulting in healthy food choices and contributing to optimal health. To learn more about Dairy Council of California, visit www.dairycouncilofca.org. Healthy Eating Made Easier.

Levine is affiliated with San Francisco’s Teenage Pregnancy and Parenting Program and American Heart Association, San Francisco. She recently released “Helping Your Child Lose Weight the Healthy Way – A Family Approach to Weight Control.” For more information, call 415-273-5606.