Mealtimes with children provide the perfect opportunity for positive discussions around food and can help to develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.

When having discussions with children around food, always talk about what is important to the child at the current time – that way it is relevant to them. Keep it fun, informal and appropriate to the child’s age. You don’t have to be 100% accurate, as long as there is a loose connection and it is important to the child now – then it’s a great way to promote healthy eating. For example:

When children are eating: bread, rice, cereal, pasta or noodles, you could talk about how these foods help to make them:

• Run fast
• Do puzzles
• Climb trees

When children are eating: fruit and vegetables you could talk about how these foods help to make them:

• Grow long hair
• See in the dark
• Fight off nasty colds and the flu

When children are eating: meat, fish, poultry, eggs  you could talk about how these foods help to make them:

• Grow tall
• Jump high
• Have strong muscles

When children are eating: cheese, yoghurt, custard and milk you could talk about how these foods help to make them have:

• Strong bones
• Strong white teeth
• A healthy tummy

Ask them how the food ‘feels’ in their mouth, is it:

• Crunchy?
• Squishy?
• Cold?
• Chewy?

Getting everyone involved in mealtimes creates a valuable learning and eating experience!