| What we learn about food as children is the basis on | | | | towards the enjoyment of food in our lives. |
| which our attitudes to food in later life are seeded. For | | | | A country where the main meal is very important is |
| this reason it is hugely important that we try to have a | | | | France. While meals like the breakfast in France are |
| greater understanding of our influence on our children | | | | not seen as very important and more of a snack, the |
| and how our own relationship with food can | | | | main meal is dinner. Dinner in France is a very leisurely |
| encourage healthy eating practices in our children. | | | | time, where family and friends spend time together, |
| While what they eat is important, what is equally | | | | eating and enjoying each other's company for up to |
| important is how the family unit eats their meals. The | | | | two hours. It is considered rude and poor etiquette to |
| fundamental basis for this, is that meals are to be | | | | watch TV during dinner. |
| enjoyed. In our modern society families are usually | | | | Children in France are also introduced to wine at an |
| very busy, therefore mealtimes can be a rushed affair. | | | | early age during dinner and are therefore shown a |
| This is not a healthy foundation in the child's forming | | | | responsible attitude to alcohol, which is carried on later |
| opinion of food. | | | | into life. |
| This is also the case with television meals, while we all | | | | I believe there are many countries in the world that |
| like to do this at certain times like for instance, during | | | | could benefit from such a setting where togetherness |
| an important football game, favorite television episode | | | | and communication, as well as the pure enjoyment of |
| or a family movie, it means that the child is not really | | | | the simplest things; like eating a family meal, are a way |
| thinking of the meal but more about the subject matter | | | | of life. |
| on screen. | | | | All of these principal can also be used when feeding a |
| Meal times can and should be an enjoyable time that | | | | baby their first solid foods, as children learn from a |
| families look forward to having. We should gather | | | | very early stage and pick up on our own attitudes to |
| together at our meals with our kin, discussing the day's | | | | food. |
| events and problems as well as laughing and joking | | | | I believe that while it is important to provide healthy |
| about the lighter highlights of our days. If we try our | | | | food for children, we should also have a healthy |
| best to practice this a few times a week, or everyday | | | | attitude towards food for our children. See also Tips |
| where possible, it will lead to a very healthy attitude | | | | for feeding baby. |