Child nutrition:sneaky food swaps for instilling healthier eating habits

With little'uns less likely to notice the subtlety that stems from small and simple lifestyle changes, incorporating subtle swaps into every day life is an effective way to instill healthier eating habits from an early age.

In order to ensure that your youngster enjoys a diet derived from nutrient dense dishes, here are my top ten sneaky swaps for tricking troublesome tots into trying sensible food sources:

1. Introduce sensible food sources slowly by switching white bread with a best of both brand.

2. Cut and control their caloric consumption by serving portions on smaller plates.

3. Slash their sugar intake by swapping fizzy drinks for sparkling flavoured spring water (with no added sugar).

4. Increase their intake of vital vitamins and mandatory minerals by sneaking a variety of sliced vegetables into homemade soups and sauces.

5. Oust an overconsumption of added sugar by swapping shop brought pots of processed yogurt, for a sensible serving of natural yogurt flavoured with whole (unaltered/non juiced or blended etc) pieces of fresh fruit.

6. Satisfy their sweet tooth sensibly by baking a 'better' version of tasty shop brought sweet treats.

7. Reduce their risk of hypertension (high blood pressure) in later life by swapping salty seasoning for healthier herbs and/or subtle spices.

8. Avoid feeding them an abundance of added sugar by swapping tinned fruit in syrup, for tinned fruit in juice.

9. Slash their intake of the sweet stuff by swapping table sugar - the type that we often sprinkle over breakfast cereal - for a sweetener such as stevia.

10. Prevent them from piling on the pounds by switching tasty takeaways with a healthier, homemade alternative.

Final thought: as tempting as it may be to overhaul your youngster's unhealthy habits overnight, sudden and substantial lifestyle changes are likely to be met with resistance - a concern that is common in obese and overweight children who often feel overwhelmed by drastic dietary changes. In order to prevent placing unnecessary pressure on your offspring, always aim to introduce healthier habits over a prolonged period and never push your tot to try 'feared' and unfamiliar foods.

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