How to Get Kids Eat Healthy Foods

Kids need proper nourishment to give them energy to learn and grow.  Eating well helps your kids stay healthy and establish good long-lasting eating habits.  However, getting kids to eat healthy foods is a big challenge for most moms. And sometimes with our busy schedule we turn to fast food.

Although it’s quite impossible and difficult to get a child to eat all the healthy foods, there are strategies to get your child eat at least some of them.  A great way to get your child eat healthy is to get him involved in making food decisions and in preparing them.  He may be too young to help you out with the menu, but he would probably like to go shopping at the grocery store.  Let him make food choices. For instance, ask him whether to get apples or pears, spinach or cabbage.  This is a good way to expose your child to different nutritious foods.

Children are also very fascinated with what you do in the kitchen.  Let them help you prepare foods, just make sure to keep safety first in mind.  My five year old son likes to peel or cut vegetables when I’m preparing them.  He also likes to stir in the food but I don’t always let him do it for safety reasons.  It’s really amazing to see that he felt accomplished after the food is cooked.  And most often than not, he enjoys eating the food we both cooked. Allowing him to watch and talk about the food while you cook is a good way to make him involved. This is an opportunity for you to teach him a thing or two about foods.

Make sure to have family meals.  Studies show that family meals improve the child’s social and emotional well-being.  Kids are more likely to eat healthy food such as fruits, vegetables and grains.  They are less likely to build bad habits such as smoking, taking drugs, or drinking alcohol.  Aside from that, you get the chance to catch up with your kids.  This is also a perfect time to act as role models to your kids.  You can’t expect your kids to eat healthy foods if they see you eat junk food or skip meals.

Although it’s nice if your child understood the significance of fruits and vegetables, you can’t always make him understand that.  If your child is unwilling to eat healthy food, try to include fruits and vegetables in foods without him knowing it. Include fruits in muffins or cookies for instance.  Kids can be too picky, but try to incorporate fruits and vegetables in their diet.  Don’t give up if your child won’t eat; just continue serving fruits and vegetables.  My five year old doesn’t like vegetables, but I always tell him vegetables are good for his skin, eyes, etc.  And it works!

Try to be creative in introducing fruits and vegetables in your kid’s diet.  Try different ways and stick to the ones that are effective.  One day you’ll be surprised he will even ask you to serve him fruits and vegetables.