As the school bells begin to ring, children and families start getting back into their school year routines, but getting back into those might look a little different this year. While most of us have had our lives turned upside down due to COVID-19, some things remain the same. Mealtimes are still essential and sharing food (safely) can be a great opportunity to ground yourself, take a break, and connect.
Photo byTanaphong Toochinda on Unsplash
The biggest tip we have is realizing things are constantly changing. What works today might not work next month and being open to change can help us adapt when we need it. Let’s break down the tips that the Vancouver Coastal Health authority have for feeding kids during Covid-19:
1. The guardian provides the structure of mealtimes.
Giving kids a structure around times to eat can help kids feel safe and secure. Predictable mealtimes such as breakfast before school, recess/lunch, snack time after school, and dinner are all opportunities for kids and guardians to break up their crazy day with a routine. This may be hard with the nature of COVID-19 and the shaking up of our routines, but setting aside a general time to enjoy food can be something children can look forward to or be able to rely on.Â
2. The kids decide whether and how much they eat.Â
A great pillar to keep in mind is giving kids the freedom to decide if they want to eat and how much they will eat. This can lower stress for guardians when they know it is not in their control and they can leave it up to the kids to decide, and it can also build healthier relationships with food in the long run. This is called the Division of Responsibility. Kids can begin to build their understanding of their hunger and fullness when they get to decide how much they want to eat. Note: the guardian still decides what food is offered, but should be up to the children to decide how much they want.
3. All foods fit
This principle is something we strive for in our Nutrikids workshops, and that is to see all foods as a part of a healthy pattern of eating. Allowing ourselves and our children the freedom to eat snacks such as cookies in the rotation of other foods offered is a perfectly normal thing to do. Eating a variety of foods allows us to have fun with our senses and opens up our taste levels. Â
Overall, we want everyone to enjoy and appreciate food without stress. With so much uncertainty in the world, keeping in mind these few suggestions can help us be gentle with ourselves and our loved ones and ensure food is a source of pleasure and something that can keep us healthy and happy.Â
References:
http://www.vch.ca/public-health/children-youth-schools/school-health/supporting-healthy-eating-at-school
https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/how-to-feed/the-division-of-responsibility-in-feeding/