Do your kids automatically eat EVERYTHING healthy that you put in front of them?? ERRR....probably NOT right??!
Neither do mine!!!!!!!! Lolol...They are Kids remember!
But, there is definitely a way to get them to put at least some of it in their mouths and not just in the trash when you are not looking! So, here are a few tips that have helped me out tremendously with my kiddos over the past 13 years to get them to eat healthier foods!
TIP ONE
Lead By Example
Let's be real...You can't expect your kids to eat healthier if YOU aren't! Children like to mimic adult behavior, and them seeing you eating healthy let's them know it's okay!
TIP TWO
Let Them Help You Cook
Kids (most kids anyway) love to "HELP" in the kitchen! Why not pick out a new healthy recipe and let them help you prepare it??! They will be so proud of themselves for creating something, it's great bonding, and they will be more excited to eat what they helped make. And as a bonus, you now have a new healthy recipe for the entire family to enjoy!!!
TIP THREE
Make the food more colorful (less boring)
Children like excitment in their lives! And this stands true for their food too. Take something like boring oatmeal, and spruce it up with some blueberries, banana, strawberries, pecans, walnuts, granola, etc... to make it more fun, flavorful, and add texture!
TIP FOUR
Become a Super Spy
Yes!!! My personal favorite!! Lol
Kids are more intelligent than we give them credit for most times! They know that we are plotting to get them to do things they don't want to like eat veggies and ditch the 3 bags of gummy bears! So, I have found that making family smoothies and only telling them the "yummy" stuff that I am putting in it like strawberries, mango, bananas, pineapple, honey, etc.. Then I accidently omit the part about the kale, spinach, carrots, beets, flaxseed, psyllium husk, ginger, etc.. that I also added to it until after they have gobbled it all down! It works everytime!!! And they are always so Shocked at how great it tasted with those "yucky" ingredients!!! This over time will create the pathway towards creating a healthy lifestyle as they get older.
Well, these are just a few of my tips that I have for my fellow parents out there that are fighting the good fight! I hope that it helps. Word of advice..... Keep Fighting!!! It gets easier the more often we do it so just stay positive and open minded and the children will do the same.
