GOODLIFE
profile: How important is it to start your child’s life on the right path when it comes to eating well? cassandra: Starting early so a healthy lifestyle is all they know is really important. So many mums tell me how hard it is to reverse their toddler’s bad eating habits further down the track. profile: What tips or tricks would you give other mums wanting to start a healthy life for their children? cassandra: Pardon the pun but start with baby steps. Don’t set yourself unrealistic expectations but do set yourself some short and long term goals. Perhaps start with one non-processed food day per week, and eventually aim for one treat day per week. Write these in a calendar and stick to them. profile: What are some of the quickest and easiest snacks to prepare for your kids? cassandra: A really healthy sandwich or yoghurt are great no-cook snacks. Leftover steamed pumpkin or sweet potato can be spread on a sandwich with cream cheese and tomato, or mashed into some yoghurt with a few frozen raspberries. profile: What advice do you have for mums who have fussy eaters? cassandra: Most mums say that dinner is the hardest meal time. I usually recommend to try to feed these children vegetables during the day so at night if they refuse the evening meal they can be offered something like yoghurt or cheese on toast. Never force food upon a little one and really try not to make eating an issue. Experts say each food needs to be tried at least 30 times before a child doesn’t like it. If your children are old enough, get them involved in the growing, preparation and cooking of food. It’s also easy to hide vegetables in foods like cakes, slices, meatballs and pasta sauces, but it’s preferable for children to enjoy eating vegetables on their own.
april 2015
profilemagazine
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