Handy Ways to Convince Your Kids to Eat Healthy
When I was a kid, all I wanted to eat was cookies, candy, ice cream, and sodas. It’s normal to seek out sugar and sweets when you are a kid. Just because it’s normal, however, doesn’t mean that it is healthy.
It is when we are children that we learn how to eat. Of course, we can change those habits as we get older and begin to make our own decisions, but what we learn to eat as children can shape our diet for the rest of our lives. Here are some great ways to get your kids to eat healthy foods.
Keep Offering Options
If your child isn’t a healthy eater already, then keep offering healthy options at the dinner table. For example, if your kid only eats mac and cheese, go ahead and make it, but also offer peas and green beans or similar healthy sides. Then, as your child becomes accustomed to the healthier options, slowly begin to subtract some of the less healthier choices. It might take a while, but in the end, offering many healthy options throughout your child’s life will pay off.
Be a Good Example
Monkey see, monkey do is not just an expression. It’s really, really true. If you want your kid to eat healthy, you have to bite the bullet and eat healthy as well. If you are snacking on chips, your child will want to do the same. If your cupboard is stuffed with sweet snacks, what do you expect your family to eat? Instead, don’t even buy the unhealthy snacks. Go ahead and buy a healthy menu, eat these options yourself, and before long, your little one will follow your lead.
Don’t Bribe
Your kids know when they hold all of the power. Instead of resorting to pleading, begging, or bribing, try your best to stick to your guns. Offer options and allow them to choose which of the things that you offer that they want to eat. This way, you’ll both hold some of the cards. You can choose what goes on the table, and your little one can choose what goes into their mouth. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Trying to convince someone to eat healthy can be a really tough challenge. If you plan ahead and stick with it, however, you will be teaching your family healthy habits to last a lifetime. If you are wondering how to get your kids to eat healthy foods, use these tips to get the ball rolling and the healthy lifestyle moving in your home.
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