February 2024

Building Healthy Eating Habits: Guiding Children Through Intentional Family Conversations

Establishing positive attitudes toward food and nutrition begins early and often starts at home.

Pediatricians recognize that engaging in mindful, intentional conversations about food with young children can lay a strong foundation for healthy eating habits that last a lifetime.

By addressing topics like:

• balanced meals
• moderation
• self-care in age-appropriate ways

parents and caregivers can help their children view food as fuel for their bodies, while also building confidence and self-respect around eating choices.

To support these family conversations, we’re sharing a fantastic resource from the National Institute of Mental Health, offering tips to guide parents in shaping healthy perspectives and preventing early misconceptions that could lead to eating disorders.

For more information on eating disorders check out this resource from the National Institute of Mental Health.