Whether you have a toddler(学步儿童)or a teen, here are five of the best strategies to improve nutrition and encourage smart eating habits;
1. Have regular family meals.
2. Serve a variety of healthy foods and snacks.
3. Be a role model by eating healthily yourself.
4. Avoid battles over food.
5. Involve kids in the process.
But it’s not easy when everyone is juggling busy schedules and convenience food, such as fast food which is so readily available.
Here are some ways to incorporate all five strategies into your routine/schedules.
Family meals are a ritual(日常惯例)for both parents and kids. Children like to know family meals in advance and parents get a chance to catch up with their kids. Kids who take part in regular family meals are also:
more likely to eat fruits, vegetables and grains
less likely to snack on unhealthy foods
less likely to smoke or drink alcohol
In addition, family meals offer the chance to introduce kids to new foods and to act as a role model for healthy eating.
Teens may turn up their noses at the prospect(期望)of a family meal—not surprising because they’re busy and want to be more independent. Yet studies find that teens still want their parents’ advice, so use mealtime as a chance to reconnect.Also, consider trying these strategies:
Allow your teen to invite a friend to dinner.
Involve your teen in meal planning and preparation.
Keep mealtime calm—no lectures or arguing.
What counts as a family meal? Any time you and your family eat together—whether it’s takeout food or a home-cooked meal, strive for nutritious food and a time when everyone can be there. This may mean eating dinner a little later to accommodate a child who’s at sports practice. It can also mean setting aside time on the weekends, such as Sunday brunch, when it may be more convenient to gather as a group.
1. The following are the reasons that prevent children from having family meals well EXCEPT that_______.
A. they are independent from their parents’ advice
B. they are busy dealing with their lessons
C. there are convenience foods so readily available
D. family meals are not as good as convenience foods.
2. Which of the following is NOT the best strategy to encourage smart eating habits?
A. Let children have meals independently.
B. Don’t scold children during the meals.
C. Set a good example to children.      
D. Don’t skip any one of the three meals.
3. The underlined phrase “turn up their noses at” is nearest in meaning to “_______”.
A. look forward to     B. keep up with    C. look down upon    D. be addicted to
4. In the author’s opinion, the most important thing is______.
A. strictly obeying the strategies all the time
B. involving kids in the process of meals.
C. never allowing children to have snacks.
D. letting children prepare their meals.