Parents, we understand your frustration when your children refuse to eat healthy foods. Mentioning the word "healthy" often leads to immediate resistance. But remember, who is in charge of the household? If your answer is the kids, you might have bigger issues to address. You and your partner are the providers, and it's essential to guide your children towards healthier eating habits. While children may resist the idea of healthy foods, they often enjoy many nutritious options without realizing it. For instance, most kids love peanut butter, which is a healthy choice. Try pairing it with apple slices or celery sticks. Similarly, a low-fat cheese sauce can make broccoli or cauliflower more appealing.
One of the most common mistakes parents make is trying to overhaul their children's diet overnight. This approach is almost guaranteed to backfire. Instead, introduce changes gradually. For example, if your kids love smoothies, swap out the milkshake for a yogurt and fruit blend. If they are fans of French fries, consider offering tortilla chips with salsa as a healthier alternative.
A friend of mine decided to switch her family to a healthy diet by throwing out all the junk food in the house. The result? Her spouse and children were not happy, to say the least. The key is to make gradual changes. Start by replacing unhealthy snacks with healthier options and then move on to altering the main meals. Over time, both you and your children will appreciate the benefits.
Transitioning your children to a healthier diet doesn't have to be a battle. By making gradual changes and involving your kids in the process, you can foster a positive attitude towards nutritious foods. Remember, the goal is to create lasting habits that will benefit your children for a lifetime.
Copyright, 2005, DeFiore Enterprises
Let Kids Help
One fantastic way to get your children involved in what they are eating, is to have them help. A great way to start is to let them make up their lunch for the next day. Obviously you will need to set some guidelines. For example, when I turned 9 I was allowed to make up my own lunch. In my girlfriends’ houses they were 10 and in some others 11. However, we all felt very important and grown up that we were allowed to make up our own lunch. Again, my mom had certain guidelines. We had to pick a lunch meat, fruit or yogurt and bread to put it on (white, wheat, rye or a roll; today wraps are another alternative). As I got older however, I cut down to a half sandwich as I found I didn’t always finish a full sandwich. I continue to eat lunch this way today, a half sandwich and some fruit.
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