Model good eating habits for children
Model good eating habits for children
Dear Dr. Donya
We are an Italian and Indonesian couple with a girl of 22
months, Maria. We always read your articles and two weeks ago
there was a very interesting article about choices of healthy
food for children.
The article stressed, in particular, the importance of parents
setting a good example.
The problem with mixed couples, such as us, is that very often
tastes are different, due to the different education and
environment where we were born and developed. We are used to
eating different foods: Mediterranean diet for the father, based
mainly on fresh and healthy foods, and Indonesian food for the
mother, with a lot of fried, spicy (particularly chili) dishes.
How do you think we can solve the problem of these cultural
differences, which are present also in other areas, such as norms
of hygiene. Do you think these differences can create problems or
confusion in our girl, due to the contrasting examples from her
parents? We would like to have your kind and valuable opinion on
the matter.
-- Reader
Dear reader,
Good question. The answer is, your girl will have no confusion
about food, she will eat what she likes. I think she is lucky
because she has a chance to taste more variety of food than just
one or the other -- western or Asian food.
Hygiene is more important, but this can be taught. The first
thing is that both of you as parents have to agree on the same
thing, which is very important when you want to teach children. I
would say neither a western nor Asian approach to hygiene is
better than the other. The two of you can pick the good things
from each culture and demonstrate that to your girl. She will
adopt what you teach her.
Again, Asia has a greater variety of fresh food, vegetables
and fruits, which are healthy food and good for children. I would
focus on fish, grains, milk and meat.
Hope this helps you. If you have a question that needs a more
specific answer, please inquire.
-- Dr. Donya
Dear Dr. Donya,
I am extremely thankful for your expert advice to all my
queries. My baby is eight months old. I am giving her home-cooked
rice and vegetables as well as ready-made baby cereals.
For an eight-month-old baby, the company makes a chocolate
cereal. I'm quite confused though. I do not doubt the company
since it is a reputable one. But is it OK to give chocolate-
flavored cereal to an eight-month-old baby? Thank you for your
advise.
-- Pallavi
Dear Pallavi,
Sweetened food makes it easier for the baby to accept, though
I personally do not recommend that a baby younger than one year
old eats chocolate-flavored food. The homemade foods that you
have made are perfect for your baby. Otherwise you can choose
food that tastes natural and add as little artificial flavoring
as possible.
-- Dr. Donya
Dear Dr. Donya
We are an Italian and Indonesian couple with a girl of 22
months, Maria. We always read your articles and two weeks ago
there was a very interesting article about choices of healthy
food for children.
The article stressed, in particular, the importance of parents
setting a good example.
The problem with mixed couples, such as us, is that very often
tastes are different, due to the different education and
environment where we were born and developed. We are used to
eating different foods: Mediterranean diet for the father, based
mainly on fresh and healthy foods, and Indonesian food for the
mother, with a lot of fried, spicy (particularly chili) dishes.
How do you think we can solve the problem of these cultural
differences, which are present also in other areas, such as norms
of hygiene. Do you think these differences can create problems or
confusion in our girl, due to the contrasting examples from her
parents? We would like to have your kind and valuable opinion on
the matter.
-- Reader
Dear reader,
Good question. The answer is, your girl will have no confusion
about food, she will eat what she likes. I think she is lucky
because she has a chance to taste more variety of food than just
one or the other -- western or Asian food.
Hygiene is more important, but this can be taught. The first
thing is that both of you as parents have to agree on the same
thing, which is very important when you want to teach children. I
would say neither a western nor Asian approach to hygiene is
better than the other. The two of you can pick the good things
from each culture and demonstrate that to your girl. She will
adopt what you teach her.
Again, Asia has a greater variety of fresh food, vegetables
and fruits, which are healthy food and good for children. I would
focus on fish, grains, milk and meat.
Hope this helps you. If you have a question that needs a more
specific answer, please inquire.
-- Dr. Donya
Dear Dr. Donya,
I am extremely thankful for your expert advice to all my
queries. My baby is eight months old. I am giving her home-cooked
rice and vegetables as well as ready-made baby cereals.
For an eight-month-old baby, the company makes a chocolate
cereal. I'm quite confused though. I do not doubt the company
since it is a reputable one. But is it OK to give chocolate-
flavored cereal to an eight-month-old baby? Thank you for your
advise.
-- Pallavi
Dear Pallavi,
Sweetened food makes it easier for the baby to accept, though
I personally do not recommend that a baby younger than one year
old eats chocolate-flavored food. The homemade foods that you
have made are perfect for your baby. Otherwise you can choose
food that tastes natural and add as little artificial flavoring
as possible.
-- Dr. Donya