Unhealthy food habits can cause food poisoning and lead to conditions like diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach pains. As a parent, you need to ensure hygiene is intact when preparing, serving, or feeding food to your child.

When teaching your child about food hygiene, start with the basics and tell him/her about the germs and bacteria that cause diseases. Let your child understand how these germs can infect their bodies, and spread from their hands to their food. Also, stress upon the habits that can help him/her prevent diseases. Here’s what you can follow and teach your child.

• Cooking Food: If you’re the one doing most of the cooking, make it a habit to follow these hygiene practices:
  • Always use an apron and tie your hair.
  • Roll your sleeves up to avoid having grease or stains on your clothes.
  • Don’t cough or sneeze into the food, always turn away whenever you have to so as to avoid the food from getting contaminated with germs. Sanitize/wash your hands thoroughly before touching the food again.
• Food Storage: Healthy food habits also include proper storage. Teach your child how to segregate and store food in the refrigerator. Also, inform him/her which foods can be left outside and which must go in the refrigerator. Don’t leave any food uncovered and also keep the lids clean to avoid contracting bacteria.
• Washing hands: Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly and teach your child how to wash his/her hands properly with soap and water. We shall talk a little more on this practice in the next point. Ensure you do this activity before and after every meal. Additionally, provide your child with a clean wiping cloth to wipe his/her hands. The cloth should be washed/changed frequently. For medical help, view our Pediatrics Department or Book an Appointment.