Safety and First Aid

Healthy eating and your child’s appetite

Children’s appetites can change from day to day. These changes are usually nothing to worry about.

Sometimes your child might want to eat a lot. That’s fine. Just make sure that you fill up your child with healthy food.

Other times your child might not want to eat as much. That’s OK too. If your child doesn’t want to eat, they’ll probably make up for it at the next meal or even the next day. It’s best not to force things or offer other foods as rewards, because this teaches children not to listen to their appetites.

As a parent you give your child healthy food and opportunities to eat it. It’s up to your child to decide how much to eat – or whether to eat at all. If your child is growing and developing well, they’re probably getting enough to eat.

The most powerful way to send healthy food messages to your children is by letting them see you make healthy eating choices every day. Children tend to do what they see you doing.

Giving your child healthy nutritious foods is important for their growth and development. It also helps to surround your child with messages about healthy eating habits and food. This can help your child make healthy food choices.

Here are some ideas and suggestions:

• Try to have a bowl full of fresh fruit within easy view and reach on the kitchen table or bench. You can offer fruit as a snack or if your child is still hungry after meals.
• Stock your pantry and fridge with plenty of healthy, nutritious options, and leave the sometimes food on the supermarket shelves.
• Try to choose fruit and vegetables of different colours, textures and tastes. The more variety there is, the more likely it is your child will find something that they’re interested in eating.
• Get your child involved in planning and preparing meals. If your child has helped to make the meal, they’re more likely to eat it.
• Enjoy healthy meals together as a family as often as possible. Also look for opportunities to eat together at breakfast and on weekends.
• Turn the TV off while eating. This way your child is paying attention to eating and the fresh healthy food choices you offer.
• Read books that have healthy food messages for your child – for example, books with pictures of fruits and vegetables. Get your child to point out different types, colours, shapes and so on. 
• Keep healthy snacks handy at home – and try to avoid buying unhealthy ones. Children will take the healthy option if it’s the only one they have. For example, you could have a bowl of fresh fruit on the bench and a container of vegie sticks in the fridge.

For more fantastic Eating tips for school children visit the Better Health website: 

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/eating-tips-for-school-children