b'Doyouenjoyeating,meaningdoyoutasteto feel like we belong and meal times provide the food you eat and enjoy the taste?Or arethat to our children. Studies show that children youeatingsomethingbecauseitishealthy,who eat with their families at least once a day or because someone made it for you? Duringperformbetteratschool,behavebetterat this time, many of us are spending more timeschool, tend to eat more nutritious foods and athome.Wearefindingourselvessteppingare less likely to engage in high risk behaviours, back into some basics like planting a vegetableliking smoking and drugs. garden,bakingbreadandconnectingwith neighbours(evenifitisjusttobangpotsatDont worry that the meal you are serving isnt 7pmeveryevening).Manypeoplearealsothe perfect meal! The important part here, is cooking meals at home. the coming together. We can use this time to establish new routinesThenewguiderecommendseatingavariety withourfamilies.Decideasafamilywhenoffoods.Avarietyofproteinfoods,fruits, you want meal and snack times to be. Workvegetables and whole grains. As the parent your other duties around these times and post thejob is to decide on and provide the meals and scheduleonyourfridge.Ifyourfamilyaresnacks. If your child doesnt eat everything that currently grazers, slowly cut back on that habit.you decide to serve, relax. It is more important If they come to you asking for a snack, when itthatmealtimeispositive.Overtime,ifyou isnt meal or snack time, offer them a glass ofcontinue to offer a variety of foods, your child water and remind them when the next snack orwill eat their vegetables!meal time will be. This will not only help provide structure to the day, but will also help your childFinally, make water your drink of choice.Water to learn the difference between hunger cuesis what we need to quench our thirst, even when andemotionaleating.Withplannedeatingour children are engaged in sport. It is good to times, they will learn that food helps to satisfyalso provide unsweetened cows milk. Offer a their hunger cues, as opposed to using food toglass at meal times. Keep the sweet beverages be distracted from feelings of sadness, anxietylike pop, juice, sports drinks, chocolate milk, for and boredom.special occasions like birthday parties.Keep meal times positive. This is an importantFor more information on Canadas Food Guide time to connect with your family. We all needgo to: https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/ Page4'