With all the candy and sugary cereals advertised every day, it may be hard to incorporate healthy foods into your child's diet without a fight. It's actually much easier than parents think. The trick is making healthy foods seem just as wonderful as their favorite candy or dessert.
First, make certain your child does not over-indulge in fatty foods. The more parents allow fatty foods, the less likely a child is to want healthier foods. The next step is to eat as healthy as you wish your child to eat. Believe it or not, kids look up to their parents. By setting a good example, even with your food, parents can show children what they need to eat.
The main thing is to get your children used to trying things. Let's face it green peas do not look as appetizing as an ice cream sundae. However, they taste pretty good. Offer them a reward for trying new foods. They do not have to clean their plate, but just try it. Trying a food is half the battle.
Never force a child to clean their plate of foods they do not like. The more you force an issue, the more a child will fight. Taking away dessert because they did not eat all of their salad is not going to make them happy. They will look at healthy foods as the enemy and be less likely to give in, no matter what the punishment. Plus, children, especially school aged, will have access to fatty, unhealthy foods somehow.
Another way of teaching a child to eat healthy is to keep healthy foods around. Provide plenty of fruits and vegetables around as snacks. Surprisingly, kids love fresh apples, celery, carrots, and other healthy snacks. Keep healthy drinks around as well. Water, milk, and some fruit juices are great alternatives to sodas. Keeping healthy snacks and drinks around and in reach will create the desired healthy eating habits in children.
Something parents often overlook is a dinner routine. Things happen and cooking a nutritious dinner isn't always an option. However, try not to make fast food the norm. By creating a routine with healthy meals with the entire family, a child feels more comfortable eating the same way all the time. If you feed them hamburgers and fries six nights a week, how can you expect them to want fish and vegetables one night a week? Remember to keep some fatty foods in your child's diet, but in moderation. Both healthy and fatty foods are important to a balanced diet.
Creating healthy eating habits in a child does not have to be hard. In fact, parents can benefit greatly from eating the same way. By eating healthier together, not only are both the parents and child getting the nutrition they need, but a stronger bond. There are plenty of books and articles on planning healthy meals for to help plan your meals. Parents will be surprised at how easy it is to create healthy eating habits in themselves and their child.