" The basis for healthy development "

"A spoon for mom. A spoon for dad. A spoon for grandma." Who hasn't heard this? When it comes to filling children's stomachs, parents sometimes come up with strange things. The primary aim should not be to fill a child's stomach, but rather to provide a balanced diet that promotes healthy development.

Even in infancy and toddlerhood, a nutrient-rich diet is essential. Many important minerals and vitamins are essential for the development of body and mind. Healthy nutrition for children can be very simple if you follow just a few tips! Read more!

The basis for healthy development

Discover the joy of indulgence - be imaginative about healthy eating

As in so many things, you as parents have an important role model function here too. Always be aware of this! Much of what little ones learn is through imitation. Food intake is no exception. If you eat a balanced and varied diet, your children will do the same. So snack on some fruit in between meals rather than reaching into the bag of potato chips - after all, healthy eating starts with these little things.

Healthy Easter breakfast for children

Of course, it's not always so easy to get young children interested in healthy food. Especially as the sweets or the special children's sausage with a face look much tastier than the bland vegetables on the plate. There's only one thing to do: focus on colors, because the little ones eat with their eyes. With a little creativity, even the greenest vegetables taste good. So make sure you take a little extra time and design the plate for the little ones with plenty of imagination. Garnish with fresh vegetables and literally "paint" a little picture.

Tip: Less complicated is often more when it comes to nutrition!

When feeding children, it is important that it is not too unusual or too exotic. Local products and, above all, seasonal foods are ideal. This not only teaches children what is good for them, but also which fruit and vegetables are available at what time of year.

Little chefs - big successes

Cooking with children is fun! Try it out and see how much enthusiasm even the youngest children develop when it comes to preparing a delicious meal. Mashing potatoes, slicing peppers or stirring once is already a great success under your watchful eye.

As a little assistant cook with a matching children's apron the little ones already learn what is involved in preparing a meal. They also learn that healthy food has to be prepared and does not come ready-made from a tin or box. The delicious smell and the many new flavors are fun.

Cooking together with children is also an important process when it comes to fine motor skills.

Prepare nuggets and co. fresh - fast food can also be done differently

There is no doubt that chicken nuggets, for example, are very popular with children. Of course, you don't have to ban them from your children's diet. You can quickly prepare such dishes yourself using fresh ingredients. Even the coveted chips don't have to come from the chiller cabinet, but can be made just as quickly at home. When it comes to healthy eating, you don't have to rely exclusively on fruit and vegetables. Enjoyment is allowed and can take place in large quantities.

Fried fish fingers

Carbohydrates, fish and plenty of water - what does a healthy diet actually include?

The well-known food pyramid provides information on which foods should be consumed daily or weekly and in what quantities.

The most important foods, from bottom to top, include

1. drinks

• Water, unsweetened tea or up to 1 liter of thin fruit spritzers per day

2. fruit and vegetables

• Five small portions a day, use seasonal offerings

3. cereal products

• Wholemeal bread, pasta, rice, potatoes several times a day

4. dairy products and fish

• 2 times a day, quark, yoghurt, cheese, milk
• Fish 2 times a week

5. eggs and meat products

• 2 - 3 eggs a week
• 2 - 3 times a week Meat and meat products (sausage)

6. sweets and animal fats

• Very rarely and only in very small quantities

Tip: Make a pyramid like this together with your child and design it according to your wishes with specific foods that fit the levels and are eaten with pleasure. Healthy eating for children starts in the mind and not just on the plate.

Take your time - eat your meals in peace and quiet

In hectic times, many people tend to treat food as a minor matter and eat it in between meals without thinking. But this is neither really good nor a suitable role model for the little ones. Of course, everyday life doesn't usually allow all meals to be eaten together, but try to always eat together. And really find the peace and quiet to do so. You should therefore always take as much time as possible to eat. Set the table together.

For the little ones, the pretty children's tableware and the children's cutlery and a fresh bouquet of flowers can also adorn the table. A pleasant atmosphere also helps children to learn to enjoy themselves. The TV or other devices should be switched off during mealtimes. Kindergarten children usually have a lot to talk about. If the little ones associate positive experiences with their daily meals, they will also enjoy eating them. A healthy diet is therefore a combination of many components that need to be considered.

Healthy snack for on the go

Active families spend a lot of time in nature and outdoors. When hunger strikes, fresh snacks with lots of energy and important vitamins are a natural choice. Whether vegetable sticks, crispbread or apple pieces. Whatever is healthy, tastes good and fits in the snack box box! But healthy eating is not only important for children on outings. Small, fresh snacks are also essential at nursery or school and boost performance and learning ability.

Snacking is a must - healthy eating does not generally mean giving up

Forbidden things are usually incredibly interesting. Hence this little tip for insecure parents: Of course, snacking and a healthy diet are not contradictory for children. If you absolutely forbid everything, sooner or later you will achieve the opposite. The occasional melt-in-the-mouth chocolate or jelly babies are simply part of a happy childhood. What's more, children can have very healthy snacks: Fruit covered in chocolate or nuts are no less delicious and can be a sensible addition to a child's diet.

Boy likes sweets