Getting your kids to eat healthy

Getting your kids to eat healthy

Kids and eating healthy—one of the biggest challenges a parent has to face! I'll start by saying, let's be honest, you are probably never going to perfect your children's eating habits, as there are just too many external temptations out there.

Fortunately, we live in a world where balance is key, and even small improvements can make a huge difference in your children's health. Making healthy eating a small part of their day-to-day lives can keep them consistent and allow them to enjoy the process at the same time.

The first thing I would say is never force your children to eat what they really dislike. Even as adults, we have our preferences in taste, so why can't our children as well? As a child, I remember being made to eat foods (with good intentions from my parents, of course) that I couldn't stand the taste of. It therefore took me a while, as I got older, to try some of these foods, even though I knew they probably tasted okay and were good for me. In the end, nutrition is nutrition. They may not like broccoli, but they may enjoy peas, carrots, and sweetcorn; so focus on those!

On the flip side, encourage a positive relationship with food. Imagine transforming the dinner table into a colourful palette of fruits and vegetables. Tell your kids they are explorers who are about to discover new foods never eaten before. Encourage (but don't force) them to try everything. Ask them to describe the foods—the taste, the smell, the texture—and see which ones they would want to eat more of in the future.

Now that we've set the foundation for a positive relationship with food, let's look at some quick tips to sneak in some healthier eating for your children.

  • Think of snack time as an opportunity to craft stories and shapes. With a little imagination, apple slices can wear peanut butter smiles dotted with raisin eyes, for example. Here, healthy eating becomes an exciting adventure, full of flavour and fun.

  • Get your children helping in the kitchen. Whether it's spreading their favourite toppings on a healthy pizza or making fruit kebabs, these moments of involvement are precious. They're not just making meals; they're learning about the foods that fuel them and discovering the joy in creating and consuming (just make sure to get them some child-friendly knives).

  • Spin stories around the superfoods on their plates—how spinach can imbue them with strength or carrots can enhance their night vision—making the connection between nutrition and their favourite tales.

  • Transform the grocery store into a treasure hunt, with a list of foods as the map. This adventure turns shopping into a learning experience, unveiling the origins of their food and the importance of variety.

Through these stories and adventures, we're not just feeding our kids; we're nurturing a lifelong love for nutrition, one meal at a time. Let's make the journey of eating well an exciting chapter in their lives.

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