When to teach your kids healthy eating habits

Hey there, health-conscious parents! Today we're diving into a fascinating topic: how to set your kids up for a lifetime of healthy eating habits. Believe it or not, it's a lot like imprinting – remember Konrad Lorenz and his geese?

Think about it: Lorenz showed that baby geese could be convinced that almost anything was their "mama" if it was the first thing they encountered. This "imprinting" works surprisingly well with food too! If you want your children to instinctively reach for nutritious options, you have a short but crucial window to shape their preferences.

So, what does this mean for you? It means the first few years of your child's life are golden when it comes to establishing healthy eating habits. It's the time to introduce them to a variety of flavors and textures, and to show them that healthy food is delicious and enjoyable.

Want to learn more? Check out this video where I discuss the impact of ‘food imprinting’ and getting kids to fall in love with real food.

Here are a couple of simple things you can do right now:

• Engage their senses: Make sure your kids smell the wonderful aromas of the foods you want them to learn to love.

• Lead by example: Let them see you enjoying healthy meals and snacks. Kids are more likely to try new things if they see their parents enjoying them!

We'd love to hear from you! What are your thoughts on "food imprinting"? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below. What are some habits you've instilled in your family that have your kids loving nutritious food?

Talk soon!