10 easy ways to "eat healthily" for kids.

 10 easy ways to "eat healthily" for kids.

10 easy ways to "eat healthily" for kids.

Creating a healthy home can be easier than you think.

Creating a nutritionally healthy home is one of the most important steps you can take to keep your child healthy. First, make wise food choices and help your child develop a positive relationship with healthy foods. Your example will help your children learn how to eat intelligently.

Here are the top 10 tips to get kids to eat healthily:

1) Don't restrict food. Restricting diet increases the risk that your child will develop eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia later in life. It can also have a negative impact on growth and development. By restricting foods, you also increase your risk of overeating later in the day, leading to weight gain.

2) Have healthy food available. Children eat what is readily available. Keep the fruit in a bowl on the counter that isn't buried in the crisper area of your fridge. Remember that your child can only choose foods that you store around the house. When you restrict junk food, you are teaching your child how to choose healthier foods by default.

3) Don't label food as "good" or "bad". Instead, tie food to the things your child cares about, such as B. Sports, academics, and hobbies. Let your child know that lean protein like turkey and calcium in dairy products will boost their athletic and academic performance. The antioxidants in fruits and vegetables give skin and hair shine, and the carbohydrates in whole grains give them the energy to play with.

4) Praise healthy choices. Give your kids a proud smile and tell them how smart they are in choosing healthy foods. Children live from positive reinforcement!

5) Don't nag about unhealthy choices. If your child rarely chooses unhealthy foods, ignore them. However, if your child always wants fatty, fried foods, redirect the choices. You could try roasting potato sticks in the oven (just throwing a bit of oil in) instead of buying french fries. If your child wants sweets, you can also make fresh strawberries dipped in some chocolate sauce. Too busy? Then, of course, keep sweet dried fruit for quick snacks at home. With consistent effort, taste buds change, and soon your child will be craving healthy foods.

6) Never use food as a reward. This could lead to weight problems later in life. Instead, reward your kids with something physical and fun - maybe a trip to the park or a quick catch game.

7) Sit at family dinners at night. If this isn't a tradition in your home, it should be. Research shows that children who have dinner at the table with their parents eat better and have fewer serious problems as teenagers. Start with one night a week and then work up to three or four to gradually build the habit.

8) Prepare plates in the kitchen. There you can put healthy portions of each item on each plate. Your children will learn to identify the right portion sizes. Too often people leave for seconds and even thirds just because the food is right there. You may find that you need less food to feel full!

9) Give the children some control. Ask your children to take three bites of any food on their plate and give it a note, e.g. B. A, B, C, D, or F. If healthy foods - especially certain vegetables - get good marks, serve them more often. Offer the items that your children like less often. So your children can participate in the decision-making process. After all of the free web content, eating is a family affair!

10) Ask your pediatrician. Always speak with your child's doctor before putting your child on a diet or making significant changes to the types of foods your child eats. Never diagnose your child as too difficult on your own. If weight change is recommended, consult a nutritionist.