Text alternative: Tooth Smart - Grazing on food and drinks

Good meal planning

• Provide meals and planned snacks at set times during the day to prevent ‘grazing’.
• Have your child sit at the table for meals and snacks.
• Make sure there are no distractions during meals. e.g. TV, toys and games.
• Sit with your child at meal times, and eat together.
• Make meal and snack time enjoyable – avoid getting angry or making negative comments.
• Give your child positive feedback for the habits you want continued e.g. “You are sitting very nicely at the table”.
• Any food and drink not finished should be removed when the child starts to play again.
• Changing habits can take time. Stay calm and be patient while your child adjusts to the new routine.

Does your child sit down to eat?

• Kids are so busy exploring the world, they do not make time to sit down to eat.
• Grazing on sugary food and drinks all through the day can lead to tooth decay.
• Choose healthy food and snack options that don’t lead to tooth decay.

Healthy snacks for between meals

• Fruit - fresh or canned in natural juice
• Vegetable sticks - try carrot, celery, cherry tomato with hummus or salsa
• Cheese slices with crackers
• Plain popcorn - without butter, sugar or salt
• Bread or jaffles with cheese, tuna, meat, baked beans, egg, avocado
• Fruit toast topped with banana
• Yoghurt