Moms Talk: How Do You Get Your Kids to Eat Healthy?
Help your children make healthy decisions regarding food.
This week our moms are discussing healthy meal ideas and how you can put a nutritious spin on a traditionally unhealthy meal. Some foods just need a small adjustment in order to be much more nutrient dense. You can choose a different source of meat, add more veggies, or go wild and try something completely new.
I think a good way to involve children in making healthy food choices is to tell them the benefits of eating certain foods (and limiting others). I explain that protein builds muscles and carbohydrates give you energy. Therefore, if you want to be a fast runner and have strong muscles, you need both foods. Vegetables give you vitamins that help you grow taller. It’s that simple, and children like making good decisions. In fact, if I forget, sometimes my son reminds me that sugar and caffeine are bad for you. Kids are very good at following rules!
In my house, for example, kids are not allowed to ask for an alternate meal. They eat what I serve or go hungry. It may sound harsh, but my kids don’t whine for mac and cheese when I make salmon and broccoli. My oldest has learned that he has to try new foods, and he is usually surprised to find out that they taste pretty good. The only things he won’t budge on are onions and guacamole, which are understandably not very kid-friendly.
How do you get your children to eat vegetables, cut sugar and limit unhealthy snacking between meals? Share your recipes and tricks here.