To kids, healthy eating conjures pictures of strange green food, tofu, and dry bran. It doesn’t have to be that way. Providing the proper nutrition for your child can be fun and easy. Try these tips to promote healthy eating.

Start early: Healthy eating even during pregnancy can set the stage for your child’s nutrition. Making homemade baby food will encourage your child to eat healthy from the start. Provide nutritious food as a treat for your child before he or she is old enough to ask for cookies or candy. When young kids are hungry, provide veggies as a snack.

Have a party: Kids love parties; try a healthy food party. Invite friends to bring different fruit and veggie dishes to share. A fun atmosphere will make the healthy food more appealing. Kids will be more likely to try something new and discover they like it when surrounded by friends.

Offer the best: Kids should be provided with 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Protein from lean meat, eggs, and nuts, plus high-fiber whole grains, will round out a healthy diet. Broil, grill, or steam foods for a healthy and tasty alternative to frying. Water and milk are better choices than fruit drinks or sodas. Avoid fast food and processed junk food as much as possible.

Be a role model: Eat healthy along with your kids to make it a group effort. Include fun activities with exercise as well. Go for a hike or bike trip, play a pick-up sports game, or just run around at the park together. Your kids will be inspired by your efforts to be healthy.

Be positive: Kids don’t like being told they can’t have something. Instead of making sweets and fried food off limits, give kids a few healthy options to choose from so they can feel empowered in their decision making.

Use your imagination: Baked goods like chocolate chip bread or muffins with carrot and zucchini will make a sweet treat that’s healthy too. Hide spinach in lasagna for an instant favorite at the family table. Sweet potato pancakes taste great and are a healthier option that those made from white flour.

Involve the kids: Let your children scour healthy cookbooks or online recipe resources to pick out a new meal to try. Shop for the ingredients and prepare the meal together. It will bring the family closer and lead to a happy and healthy lifestyle.

The old plates of Brussels sprouts and spinach can be replaced with tasty and enticing new healthy recipes, so just make eating right fun. Do it together and try new things. There are plenty of options for healthy food here in McKinney, from local farmers markets to the produce section of your favorite grocery store. Getting kids involved while shopping helps to teach them how to identify healthy foods at the store. If you would like more information on incorporating health into parenting, here is a great resource.

Source:

Child Nutrition (U.S. National Library of Medicine)

Help Children Develop Healthy Habits (American Heart Association)

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