Kids can be fussy little creatures. I’m not a parent yet, but I’ve spent enough time with my pint-sized relatives to know that if you try feed a child watermelon when all they want are gummi bears, you’ll be about as successful as if you spent your day banging your head against a wall.
So here are some things you can try to help your (or your friend’s/relative’s/boss’) kids eat healthily:
1) Be a good role model.
Whether you’re aware of it or not, your child is learning their behavior from you. So if you’re eating hot chips, drinking sugar-filled soft drinks, and living an unhealthy lifestyle, they’ll think that’s the status quo. If you eat healthy, well-balanced meals, they’ll be more likely to follow suit.”¨
2) Get creative with healthy snacks.
Your child may not be so receptive to a snack of carrot sticks or cauliflower, but if you add a salad dressing, a yoghurt, or a dipping sauce into the mix, they’re more likely to dig in and enjoy the healthy treat. Peanut butter is a great option for this.
3) Trick them into eating vegetables.
It seems sneaky, but tricking them into eating veggies is for the greater good. Make them mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potato (it tastes just as delicious, if not more!), or sneak some zucchini into their weekend pancakes.Ӭ
4) Make sure they’re active.
Exercising and being active is an important part of maintaining your child’s health. Whether you encourage outdoor games (such as skipping or even hopscotch), or team sports, make sure your child gets about 60 minutes of activity a day. Plus, it’ll keep them away from the TV or playing video games!”¨
5) Allow treats.
Making sure your child is being healthy doesn’t mean completely depriving them of treats. Allow them a small treat (such as a small chocolate, a bag of potato chips, or even some fast food) in moderation. If your kids associate these foods with being forbidden, they’re more likely to binge on them when you’re not around.
Do you have trouble getting your kids to eat healthily? What are your tips for getting kids to eat a balanced diet?
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