As a proud father to a beautiful five year old named Evie, I see it as my responsibility to give her the best start in life that I possibly can.
Parents often talk about the importance of spending time with our children, encouraging them to be inquisitive about the world around them – to learn through play. During the early years, their little brains are processing so much information, assimilating it so it can be applied later.
For those little brains to work at their best, they need to be fuelled properly. That’s why providing a healthy, balanced diet for our kids is so important. Using just a few little healthy snack hacks, like Dole Mandarins in Juice, you’ll be well on your way.
But first, what does a balanced diet look like?
The Good Stuff:
Now I’m not a nutritionist, but when it comes to my daughter, I try to give her a healthy mix of the following:
- Fruit and vegetables: High in vitamins, minerals and fibre and great for promoting good health and digestion, as well as protecting against disease.
- Protein: Important for so many bodily functions, including the repair and recovery of tissues in the muscles and skin, as well as hair and nails.
- Dairy: Helps the development of strong and healthy bones as well as a source of vitamins that help the production of red blood cells.
- Grains: A source of nutrients including B vitamins, minerals and fibre, which helps them feel fuller for longer.
Balanced Diet Snack Hacks
Tip #1: Keep it simple:
Evie has always absolutely loved chopped cucumber and cherry tomatoes, so I always keep the fridge stocked so when she’s hungry and fancies a snack, she’s eating as healthily as possible.
Tip #2: Get smart:
Don’t be afraid to mix it up a little bit. Disguising vegetables in yummy meals like spaghetti bolognese or soups is a perfect way to make sure your child is getting all the nutrients they need, without the inevitable ‘brussel sprouts are gross’ battle.
We’ve all been there, right?
Tip #3: Get delicious healthy snacks
If your children are anything like Evie, they absolutely love anything sweet. One of my biggest pieces of advice is to keep your cupboard full of Dole Mandarins in Juice. They’re made with all natural ingredients and have no added sugar, which makes them a perfect healthy snack for any time of the day, wherever you are. Evie loves these fruit pots because they’re a tasty dessert and I love them because they’re low in calories and count towards one of her five a day.
Winner!
OK, I’ll level with you…
I tend to go through quite a few of these myself too!
Finding Balance
Now don’t get me wrong, Evie’s diet certainly isn’t perfect. As parents, we’re under so much pressure to do everything, all the time: Work, keep on top of the house, look after the children and so much more.
We can’t get it right all the time. In fact, I certainly don’t.
What we can do though, is make conscious decisions to create healthy habits. Swapping out the unhealthy treats for healthy ones, like Dole Mandarins in Juice for example, is a smart choice for a healthy, happy child.
And the end result of lots of little smart choices? A well-fuelled little brain that is primed and ready to absorb that big world around them.
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