Trying to Make Your Kids Eat Healthy

Kids have a long way to go before they realize the difference between healthy and yummy. Nature has designed us in a way that we prefer to choose our food based on its appearance, smell, and taste. There is a big industry minting money by taking advantage of these human tendencies. But as parents, we need to ensure that our children eat healthy. However, we can’t force feed them. Some of our parents and grandparents might disagree, but let’s check some better alternatives.

Practice what you preach

Make sure that you eat all the healthy stuff which you ask your kid to eat. You can’t use smart suggestions like “That’s for growing kids only. We adults don’t need to eat it.” Or, “I have already had that earlier before you came in.” You can’t fool kids, not today’s kids. So the first answer to the question – how to get kids eat healthy – is to eat healthy in front of them and with them. When they see you eat the same stuff, they will have fewer reasons to say no.

Explain the difference between healthy and unhealthy

Don’t give them long and boring lectures, or use the traditional “because I said so”. Instead, involve them. Prepare simple food items in front of them, explaining the richness and advantages of healthy food. A regular and simple sandwich can help you teach them the benefits of healthyeating. Present harmful junk food items as “bad guys.” Present antioxidants and toxins in a creative manner. Make the process playful and informative. But be careful that your kids don’t catch you sneaking around with the food that you say a big no-no to. You’ll have to exercise some self control before you can preach that to your kids.

Turn healthy food to be delicious

While being a guide to healthy eating for your children, remember they are children. Search the net for recipes to make food like vegetables appear more appealing for kids. Nobody likes bland food, so why make the kids deal with it.  Make dishes which widen the scope of your children’s taste palettes. Get creative and cook vegetables in a new way – something that would be loved by your kids.

These are not new or modern techniques. These are some of the best practices shared by parents who have been successful in helping their kids understand healthy eating habits. Give it a try.