How Can I Get My Kids To Eat Healthily
By TessMia.com
Children who eat poorly can have a negative impact on their life. Not only can it create long-term health issues like diabetes, heart issues, weak immune system, etc.—it can also lead to social difficulties.
Young humans can be mean, and overweight kids are easy targets. Being bullied can lead to your kid “hating school,” which causes educational implications. We can go on and on about the possible “snowball effects”! It’s a tough situation all around.
Luckily, most of the time, we as parents can help them develop healthy eating habits.
Friends often ask me how I get my son to eat healthy. At 10, he picks his food. It’s his choice. I just showed him the way at an early age.
Below are some things that worked for me. I’ll admit he eats even healthier than I do now. (something I’m super proud of!).
I believe the main reason is he went from boob to real food. No processed meals and no sugar – real food, fruits & vegetables. No juice or soda before he was about three years old – water only. They don’t miss what they don’t know! You have 100% control at this point.
The first solid food he had was a banana I gave him with a teaspoon. (his dad tried to give him baby food once – it didn’t work. He hated it. lol)
Someone once told me that whatever you feed your baby before two is what he will continue eating. That stuck with me.
Basically, introducing healthy food early in his life is what will create his food palate – you teach him what to like.
If your kid is already in his teens and doesn’t have healthy eating habits, this change will likely be a challenge. However, don’t lose hope, you can still do it.
I think the most effective thing you can do is prepare & present healthy food with equal love and enthusiasm as you serve meals he (you) like.
Add the spices he put on his “unhealthy” foods – familiar flavors might help. The same way as you marinate your meat, spice up your vegetables. Talk about the food you’re serving as something delicious, not a punishment.
How many of us heard our parents say: “Eat your vegetables, or you won’t get dessert!”
If they only knew: That’s not how you teach your kids or anyone how to want to do something – that method doesn’t work with anything.
This tactic will cause your child to hate vegetables and healthy food. So don’t do it… (However, I condone telling your kid to eat food before candy and dessert.)
I used to tell my son for years – that his muscles came from broccoli. He loved showing me how much his biceps had grown after every meal – and he loves broccoli today. He’ll ask for a bowl of broccoli with sea salt before he asks for chips. No joke!
If you like to cook, another tip is to go searching online or buy a cookbook of healthy foods and start experimenting. There are many delicious recipes out there that will get your taste buds dancing. It’s not true that healthy food is plain and boring – it’s delicious if you put your soul into it.
Yes, habits are hard to break. But, as long as you make the decision and stick to it, you won’t regret it. Change your family’s eating habits – make it a challenge – make it exciting – your kids will follow!
BONUS: You’ll live longer!
Chose to eat healthy! BE HEALTHY! LOOK HEALTHY!
AND
BON APPETIT
