How to Get Your Kids to Eat Healthy Food

 

Patience, persistence, and a little creativity will go a long way in getting your kids to eat healthy baby food. It's no surprise that your kids are probably the pickiest eater yet. Kids prefer eating unhealthy food options if you can tolerate them.  Always remember that healthy food for children consists of a variety of food groups from the four main food groups. As long as you can balance all the food groups  dairy, meat protein, fruits, vegetables, and grains 

ou're all set. There are some helpful tips.

Introduce new food flavors step by step

Do not allow your children to enter the shelter of food. Avoid serving the same meal over and over. Start browsing or reading recipe ideas from books, magazines, and even online. Gradually introduce new food flavors, pairings, and recipes each week along with their favorite food. You can start with greens. Cut the new vegetables into cubes and combine them with her favorite foods such as pasta, soup, omelet, or casserole. Just make sure to mix it up every week by introducing new ways to cook vegetables with their favorite meals.

Involve your children in preparing the food

Next time you go to the supermarket, take your kids with you and encourage them to choose their own fruits and vegetables. When cooking healthy food for kids, invite them to help you prepare. Nothing high profile. You can ask them to wash produce, stir-fry soup, or even help make fresh pasta at home. This is an excellent way to get your kids to appreciate the fun side of cooking and eating, while also teaching them basic cooking skills. Studies have shown that children are more likely to eat the food they helped prepare.

Don't radically exclude sweets or foods high in fat

The key to healthy food for kids, just like adults, is moderation. There is no need to completely ban ice cream or french fries from your child's diet.  What you need to do is make sure they know what is good and what is bad for them. There is always a place for sugary sweets or oily foods every now and then. Teach them the value of the small portions of these types of foods, or better yet, find healthy alternatives that allow them to enjoy the same flavor without compromising the nutritional value.

Get creative with painting and applying

We all know how kids are tempted by anything visible especially colors. Put that in the food. Get as many variations of color as possible when serving their meals. You can even create art pieces from fruits and vegetables. Invite them to join you in preparing the most visually appealing meal. Fruits and vegetables are really colorful ingredients. All you need is some creativity in painting and applying. Kids love to snorkel. Why not make a delicious low-fat vegan dip that tempts them to eat vegetables and fruits.

Do not bribe your children to eat vegetables

Contrary to popular belief, bribing children to eat vegetables can do more harm than good. Don't bargain with your kids for rewards like eating a whole sugary candy after eating the veggies etc. This will only increase negative food associations where vegetables are a requirement and desserts are fun and tasty rewards. Children tend to bring these negative associations with them into adulthood. Just encourage them to eat one bite. Don`t give up. They may not like him right away but that doesn't mean they will hate him forever.

Be a role model in healthy eating

This is an important aspect of teaching your children to eat healthy food. Set a good example for them now that they are more likely to remember their parents' words, attitudes, and habits about healthy eating. Let them see what they are missing. Eat fruits and vegetables, and let them know how delicious and nutritious they are. You can overuse your acting skills if you want to. Children are alert and excited by the adults around them. Be a fun-loving, healthy eater because they want to emulate it as they get older.