In the first years of life, food plays a role far beyond simply nourishing the body and providing the energy children need to play and develop. This is a crucial period when they discover flavors, textures, and colors, forming a relationship with food that can last a lifetime. At be.Living, food is an integral part of the educational process, helping children build this relationship in the most conscious, healthy, and enjoyable way possible.

From their very first experiences with food, children engage all their senses—they touch, smell, taste, and sometimes even reject certain foods. It’s a time filled with both milestones and challenges for families. According to our school’s nutritionist, Adriana Ferreira Leite, this entire process is natural. Recently, she held a special meeting with the families of the Blue Group in Early Childhood Education to provide guidance and answer questions about childhood nutrition.

Adriana emphasizes that with patience, respect, and a positive approach, eating can become a pleasurable experience—“a plate full” of discoveries.

“Children are naturally curious and love to explore their surroundings, including food. At first, it’s completely normal for them to play with their food, make a mess, and even find certain flavors or textures unfamiliar. Food selectivity is part of the process. Some children take longer to accept certain foods, and that’s okay. The key is to keep offering a variety of foods without pressure, in a lighthearted and positive way.”

The nutritionist cautions that forcing or negotiating food can lead to a negative relationship with eating. “Phrases like ‘If you eat everything, you get dessert’ shift the focus away from the enjoyment of food and reinforce the idea that some foods are more valuable than others.” Instead, she recommends creating a calm mealtime environment and respecting the child’s pace. 

According to Adriana, a few key strategies can make a significant difference: offering the same vegetable in different forms—such as roasted, boiled, grated, or pureed; involving children in the process by letting them help in the kitchen or pick an ingredient at the market; and, most importantly, eating together. “Children learn by example. If the family enjoys their meals, they’ll want to try new types of food too!”

At school, in turn, this endeavour should be further strengthened. At be.Living, mealtimes are treated as a learning experience. “Here, we encourage curiosity about food, expose children to a variety of ingredients, and respect each child’s individual pace. Our goal is to find a balance between healthy eating and food acceptance, fostering ongoing conversations with the children.” 

Food rejection is a normal part of child development. “It doesn’t mean a child will never like a certain food. Often, they just need time and repeated exposure to become comfortable with it.” To ease this process, Adriana suggests a few helpful strategies: “A child may dislike sliced tomatoes one day, but love them chopped into a salad. Seeing adults enjoy the same food can also make a big difference. Mixing unfamiliar foods with familiar ingredients helps build acceptance, and turning meals into a fun experience—with colorful plates and creative shapes—can make trying new foods more appealing.”

Another important point is to avoid saying things like, “She doesn’t like it,” and instead reinforce a more open mindset by saying, “It’s not her favorite food yet, but we’ll try it another day.” The nutritionist also recommends sharing personal experiences. “Talking about foods you disliked as a child but later grew to enjoy can be a great motivator. Taste buds change over time, and children love to associate their growth with an expanding palate. I always say, ‘A baby only drinks milk, but an adult enjoys almost everything!’”

When it comes to portion sizes, the expert advises families to focus on the child’s sense of satiety rather than exact quantities. “More than the amount of food, what truly matters is ensuring quality and variety. Every child has a different appetite and unique nutritional needs—one day they may eat more, the next less, and that’s completely normal.”

According to our nutritionist, the ideal approach is to offer a balanced meal that includes all essential food groups:

• A source of carbohydrates (rice, potatoes, cassava, whole-grain bread).
• A protein (eggs, meat, fish, or plant-based options like beans, lentils, and chickpeas).
• Vegetables, preferably colorful and varied throughout the week.
• A piece of fruit, either as a snack or dessert, to complement the meal.

If a child demonstrates that they are full, there is no need to insist that they finish everything. “The body naturally regulates hunger and satiety. If a child eats less one day, they’ll often compensate naturally the next,” Adriana explains.

Tips from our nutritionist:

• Establish a routine: Regular mealtimes (breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner) help create healthy eating habits.
• Limit distractions: Avoid TV, cell phones, and toys during meals so the child stays focused on eating.
• Encourage independence: Let children serve themselves or eat on their own from an early age, even if it gets messy.
• Create a positive atmosphere: Mealtimes should be enjoyable, without pressure or comparisons.
• Respect appetite fluctuations: Eating less one day doesn’t mean a child is lacking nutrients. Balance is key over the course of the day.
• Lead by example: A family’s eating habits have a strong influence on a child’s relationship with food.
• Offer a simpler menu: Too many choices can be overwhelming. Serving only the essentials helps maintain balance.
• Avoid replacing the meal with snacks or milk: If the child did not eat well at lunch, wait until the next meal or until they feel hungry and offer the food again.