X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parenting & Play by Friso
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-schooler
    • Kids
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • Money Parenting
    • Tips for Parents
    • Tips for Toddlers
    • Tips for Older Kids
    • The 5 Personas
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

6 Ways to Teach Your Kids Healthy Eating Habits and Prevent Eating Disorders

2 min read
6 Ways to Teach Your Kids Healthy Eating Habits and Prevent Eating Disorders6 Ways to Teach Your Kids Healthy Eating Habits and Prevent Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are on the rise in Asia, which is why we should teach our kids how to have a healthy relationship with food

The conversation around eating disorders aren’t as prevalent in Asia as it is in other parts of the world, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a problem. A study recently found that in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and other parts of South Asia, “obesity rates have reached epidemic proportions.”

Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to body image and eating disorders, which is why it’s important that we develop healthy eating habits with our children, starting from a young age. Here are five practical tips:

1. Be a good role model.

As in other areas, when it comes to nutrition, you can’t be an effective teacher unless you practice what you preach. Try to set a good example by choosing nutritious snacks and don’t skip your meals.

2. Don’t ban food.

Banning certain foods can lead to overeating when they are available. Instead of labelling foods as “good” or “bad,” go with “everyday” foods and “sometimes” foods. Allow your kids to eat “sometimes” foods in moderation, and don’t make them feel bad or guilty about it.

3. Make nutritious food easily accessible.

6 Ways to Teach Your Kids Healthy Eating Habits and Prevent Eating Disorders

When they’re hungry, kids will eat whatever’s in your fridge or pantry, so make sure that they’re well-stocked with healthy foods.

4. Don’t use food as a reward.

When you use food to reward kids or to show affection, they might start using food to cope with stress or other negative emotions. Instead, find non-food ways to reinforce good behavior, such as hugs or words of affirmation. And remember to praise your kids for their character, not their weight or what they choose to eat.

5. Make family meals count.

6 Ways to Teach Your Kids Healthy Eating Habits and Prevent Eating Disorders

Regular family meals allow you to model healthy eating patterns while taking the focus away from the food and towards the social connection. Instead of fixating on what or how much your child is eating, focus on connecting with your child. Turn of the television and keep other devices away from the table so you can get the most from meal times.

6. Teach your child to eat when they’re hungry.

Instead of simply telling your child to eat everything on their plate, help your child distinguish feelings of hunger and fullness. Avoid strict rules. While you can decide what you will serve at meal times, allow your child to choose how much—or even whether or not—they will eat.

Partner Stories
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance
Is the Spice in Your Life Taking a Toll on Your Tummy?
Is the Spice in Your Life Taking a Toll on Your Tummy?
Read This Before You Enjoy the Satisfaction of Cracking Your Joints!
Read This Before You Enjoy the Satisfaction of Cracking Your Joints!
Pregnancy 101: 6 Types of Pains and Ways to Manage Them
Pregnancy 101: 6 Types of Pains and Ways to Manage Them

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Cristina Morales

  • Home
  • /
  • Health
  • /
  • 6 Ways to Teach Your Kids Healthy Eating Habits and Prevent Eating Disorders
Share:
  • Fun Ways To Teach Kids About Nutrition At The Store

    Fun Ways To Teach Kids About Nutrition At The Store

  • Mums, Are Your Words Causing Your Child to Develop Eating Disorders?

    Mums, Are Your Words Causing Your Child to Develop Eating Disorders?

  • Woman and Son Locked Out of Yishun Flat by Landlord, Forced to Spend Night in Stairwell

    Woman and Son Locked Out of Yishun Flat by Landlord, Forced to Spend Night in Stairwell

  • Mum Discovers 'Hole' In Her Baby's Mouth, Rushes To Hospital Before Realising Her Mistake

    Mum Discovers 'Hole' In Her Baby's Mouth, Rushes To Hospital Before Realising Her Mistake

app info
get app banner
  • Fun Ways To Teach Kids About Nutrition At The Store

    Fun Ways To Teach Kids About Nutrition At The Store

  • Mums, Are Your Words Causing Your Child to Develop Eating Disorders?

    Mums, Are Your Words Causing Your Child to Develop Eating Disorders?

  • Woman and Son Locked Out of Yishun Flat by Landlord, Forced to Spend Night in Stairwell

    Woman and Son Locked Out of Yishun Flat by Landlord, Forced to Spend Night in Stairwell

  • Mum Discovers 'Hole' In Her Baby's Mouth, Rushes To Hospital Before Realising Her Mistake

    Mum Discovers 'Hole' In Her Baby's Mouth, Rushes To Hospital Before Realising Her Mistake

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2022. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on baby care and health.