Nutrition Tips for Kids: How to Make It Work
By Genevieve Cunningham
Kids. If you have them, you love them like crazy … and they also drive you crazy. But no matter how crazy and exhausted they make you feel, you want what's best for them. You want them to be successful and happy. And most especially, you want them to be healthy. But with kids, this is easier said than done, especially when it comes to diet. Kids want the same five (unhealthy!) foods all of the time, and they don't like to deviate. Luckily, it is possible to get your kids to eat healthy meals. If you need help improving the diet of your children, take a look at these tips to get you started.
Let Them Join In
Kids really like to be involved. If you want them to eat healthy food, let them in on the process. Do research together to figure out which foods your family should try. Make a grocery list together and shop together. Let them help you find new recipes and cook healthy meals. The more involved you can make them feel, the more ownership they’ll feel over the process, and the more likely they’ll be to give the food a try … and maybe even like it!
Don’t Offer Other Options
When it comes down to it, you’re the parent. You get to choose what kinds of food are offered in your home. If you can’t seem to get your children to eat healthy foods, don’t offer anything else. Cook a healthy meal, and then tell them to eat it. Will they? Maybe or maybe not. But if you’re consistent and don’t give in to their chicken nugget and french fry demands, they’ll eventually give something on their plate a try.
Be Patient
Change takes time. You can’t change everything in their diet all at once and expect them to be happy about it. Make one simple change at a time and let them get used to it. Then add another. Keep doing this until your menu is as healthy as you’d like for it to be. Patience is key with kids … whether you’re talking about behavior, school, friends, or healthy habits.
Kids are a lot of work. They're great, but they're also exhausting. And of course, they’re completely worth it! Use these tips to keep your sweet little ones healthy and strong. With a healthy diet on the menu, they'll be healthy and thriving through their childhood and hopefully take those habits with them into adulthood for a healthier life overall
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