Site posted on January 08, 2010 10:58
We want our kids to eat healthy but it seems they love Pop Tarts, Lunchables and chicken nuggets. And when we're hungry too, we might pick up chicken nuggets for dinner. "Forcing" kids to eat vegetables doesn't work. (Doesn't forcing kids to do anything almost always fail?) We have to give children some freedom to make their own food choices. But we have to set some healthy limits.
Here are a few tricks (oops, tips):
• We have to eat healthy. If we eat healthy in front of our kids, they will probably do the same.
• Shop with our kids. Ask them if there are any new fruits or vegetables they would like to try. Let him pick out some fruit to have for dessert after dinner.
• Invite our kids into the kitchen! Children are more interested in eating food that they help make. this is a great way to get your child to try new foods. Keep the meal simple with healthy, fresh ingredients.
• Stock our kitchens with healthy stuff. Apples, oranges, or bananas, bite-size veggies and low-fat dips, yogurts, and cheese cubes. From the pantry, make some plain, lightly salted popcorn and split it into Ziploc bags for snacks. Let's buy whole grain crackers, pretzels, a jar of all natural peanut butter, and whole grain tortilla chips and salsa instead of chips. Snacks need to be healthy, fresh and easy to reach.
• Let's stop buying unhealthy snacks (even ones we like). If they're in our house, we and our kids will eat them. Treats are fine, but keep them that way.
• Let's try to eat as a family once a day. If dinner together is tough, try for breakfast. Let's turn off the TV and talk to each other. If we all eat slowly- we might talk to and listen to each other. The best stories are usually told around the kitchen table. Give your family the gift of time together.