How to Convince Your Kids to Love Healthy Food
By Genevieve Cunningham
Getting your kids to eat healthy can be a chore. Kids love sugar and candy and overly processed snack food. If you put broccoli on their plate, they're likely to turn their nose up and refuse. But a well-balanced diet is an essential part of a child's well-being. They need the nutrients in order to grow and stay well. The trick is to figure out how to get your kids to love the healthy food on their plate. If you're interested in improving your child's menu, take a look at these tips.
Disguise It
If you have the time and energy, you can often disguise healthy food in order to get your kids to eat it. Put all of the vegetables in the shape of a flower. Use food dye to make it look like something else -- a monster or an ocean or an animal. Most of the time, kids will like the food once it's in their mouths, but getting it into their mouths is the trick. If you can trick their eyes for a while, you may be able to get them to taste it long enough to like it and eat it willingly.
Give It Flavor
Want your kids to eat celery? Slap some peanut butter in the middle. Broccoli? Cover it in cheese. It's OK to ease your child into a healthier menu. You don't have to go from chicken nuggets and french fries to raw veggies in one sitting. Transition slowly. In doing this, you may even find some good combinations that become favorites on the menu for good.
Hide It
If you really can't get your kids to eat anything, just hide it. Chop the veggies up as small as you can, and put them in one of your child's favorite dishes. Or mix the vegetables with fruit in a smoothie in the mornings. It's OK to hide the food while your kids are small and refuse to try new things. As your kids get older, it will be easier to convince them to try something new -- or actually, maybe something old -- and your veggie hiding days will be over.
A healthy menu is definitely an important part of healthy living for your kids. It fuels their body, gives them energy, and helps them grow into strong adults. Use these tips to get the veggies into your kids' diet without a fight. With some patience, your kids will have a healthy diet and better wellness for years to come.
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