Christmas is a time of joy, love, and celebration, and it is also a time when many families tend to overindulge in food and sweets. While it’s important to enjoy festive treats, it’s also crucial to ensure that your child eats well during Christmas.

In this article, we will provide you with some tips and tricks to help you make sure your child stays healthy and nourished during the holiday season.

Plan Ahead

The key to ensuring your child eats well during Christmas is to plan ahead. Before the holiday season starts, take some time to plan your meals.

Make a shopping list of nutrient-rich foods that your child loves and ensure that you have enough of these on hand. This way, you will be less likely to be tempted to buy unhealthy junk food.

Stick to Regular Meal Times

Another important tip is to stick to your child’s regular meal times as much as possible. This will help to regulate their appetite and reduce the chances of them snacking on unhealthy treats throughout the day.

If you know you will be having a big Christmas dinner, try to have a light breakfast and lunch, so that your child is hungry enough for dinner.

Serve Balanced Meals

When planning your Christmas meals, aim to serve balanced meals that include a variety of foods from each of the food groups. This should include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy products.

Remember to keep portion sizes in mind, as children tend to have smaller appetites than adults.

Offer Healthy Snacks

It’s common for children to snack on unhealthy treats during Christmas, so it’s important to offer healthy snack options instead.

Consider serving fruits and vegetables with dip, whole grain crackers with hummus, or yogurt with fruit for a healthy, yet festive snack.

Involve Your Child in Cooking

Another great way to encourage your child to eat well during Christmas is to involve them in cooking. Children are more likely to eat foods that they have helped to prepare, and it’s a great way to teach them about nutrition at the same time.

Encourage your child to help you prepare healthy meals and snacks, and have fun in the kitchen together.

Limit Sugary Drinks

Sugary drinks are a major source of empty calories and can contribute to obesity and tooth decay in children. During Christmas, it’s easy for children to consume a lot of sugary drinks such as soda, fruit juice, and hot chocolate.

To reduce the amount of sugar your child consumes, limit their intake of these drinks and encourage them to drink water or low-fat milk instead.

Be a Good Role Model

Children are more likely to eat well when they see their parents and caregivers doing the same. As a parent, it’s important to be a good role model and make healthy choices yourself.

If you are seen eating healthy foods and snacks, your child will be more likely to follow your lead.

Keep Healthy Leftovers

During Christmas, there is often an abundance of food leftover. These leftovers can be used to make nutritious meals and snacks for your child. Consider making a turkey and vegetable soup or using leftover vegetables to make a frittata.

Keeping these healthy leftovers on hand will prevent you and your child from reaching for unhealthy snacks when hungry.

Be Mindful of Treats

It’s important to allow your child to indulge in festive treats during Christmas, but it’s also important to be mindful of the amount they consume.

Instead of giving your child a large slice of cake or pie, consider cutting it into smaller portions and serving with fresh fruit. You can also limit the number of sweets and desserts to one per day, so your child doesn’t consume too many empty calories.

Conclusion

By following these tips and tricks, you can ensure that your child eats well during Christmas, and continues to enjoy the festive season. Remember to plan ahead, stick to regular meal times, and serve balanced meals and healthy snacks.

Involve your child in cooking, limit sugary drinks, and be a good role model. Keep healthy leftovers on hand, and be mindful of treats. With these tips in mind, you and your child can have a healthy and happy Christmas.