With all of the junk food and over-processed snacks available on the market, it can be hard to convince your kids that they need to eat things that are good for them. Picky eaters are often determined that they would rather go to bed hungry than eat something they don't like, and parents often feel as though they are fighting a losing battle. If you struggle with getting your kids to eat foods that are good for them, there are a few things you can do to make healthy eating more appealing. Here are some tips that may encourage your children to ditch the sugar and processed foods for something healthier.
Make Lifestyle Changes as a Family
If your children see you consuming sugary cereal, grease-laden fries and large sodas, they won't understand why they must eat healthy foods while you eat whatever you want. If you want your children to make healthy choices, then you need to model healthy choices. This will help your children see that it can benefit everyone to eat healthfully, and they will not see nutritious foods as punishment. You also need to exhibit healthy exercise habits. If your kids see you sitting on the couch all day, they will be less inclined to go outside and play. When you make the changes together as a family, everyone will be inspired and motivated to make better choices.
Get Them Involved in the Kitchen
One of the best ways to encourage kids to eat healthy meals is by giving them some control in the kitchen. If you grow a garden, let your children plant, weed and maintain it. When they harvest the vegetables and herbs, they will feel the satisfaction of being rewarded for their hard work. Allow your children to help you plan the week's menu and grocery list, and then let them help you prepare the meal. They will be more likely to enjoy the meal when they are able to help put it all together.
Get Creative
When you have younger children, it may take a little bit of creativity on your part to encourage them to eat healthy foods. Try making a picture or a smiley face out of fruits and vegetables, and put them on colorful plates that your kids like. You can dress them up with a little bit of dip or sauce to make them more appealing, and you can even label them with funny names. Your creativity may spark enough interest that healthy eating no longer becomes a battle.
While everyone needs to eat healthy foods, it is especially important for children. They need the vitamins and minerals in nutritious foods to grow properly. By using these tips, you may be able to convince your children to drop the chips and pick up the fruit when they get home from school.
I recommend visiting the KidsWorldMD website for amazing kids and pregnancy health related articles and help guides. Check out the features section for pediatric and pregnancy health articles.
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