How to Get Your Child Interested in Healthy Eating

Most parents would like for their children to live healthy and always make good nutritional choices, but let's face it, kids have a lot of temptations to stray off the path. When you see other kids eating potato chips for lunch, see a commercial for fast food burgers and fries, or even read a book about baking cookies...well, how good does that broccoli-carrot medley look by contrast? Still, though, no need to give up the fight--there are some small steps you can take to help your child learn to enjoy making some healthier choices--at least most of the time.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables cut up in handy, portable, kid-friendly pieces
• <br>Low-fat yogurt in flavors your child enjoys
• <br>Nutrition bars that actually taste good
• <br>Other healthy snacks chosen by your child and approved by you
• <br>The occasional non-healthy snack

1. Involve your child in meal planning and preparation. Many kids really enjoy being involved in getting to choose the grocery items you purchase (within limits), and kids often enjoy learning to cook as well. You can talk to your child about good nutrition, then make it a challenge for you to work on together to plan and prepare meals that are not only good for you, but taste good, too.

2. Offer a wide variety of healthy choices for your kids to choose from. If your child hates cooked vegetables, try offering raw ones. If all vegetables are despised, how about fruit? Some children love yogurt, others hate it, but may enjoy a tasty snack of string cheese for that same calcium benefit. Remember, though, that kids' tastes can change rapidly, so don't expect that your child will always love the same type of food she adored last week (in other words, don't buy in bulk unless it's something you, yourself, are willing to consume several dozen of if your child changes her mind).

3. Never try to force an entire serving of some new food on your child. You may think it "builds character," but instead it is likely to build a lifelong loathing of that particular food that can never be overcome. Instead, place a tiny helping on your child's plate and request that he eat two small bites. If he doesn't like it, fine, but at least you haven't forced the issue so you are free to introduce this food at a later date and see if he's changed his mind.

4. Make sure that healthy food choices are as convenient as less healthy ones. If you need a meal in a hurry, try a salad in a bag or even a fast food salad. If you plan to eat out, check the menu online if possible so you'll know what the healthier options are (the ones that your child might actually eat, that is) before you order. And be sure to leave healthy snacks in handy serving-size portions for your child to snack on after school. Individual cups of unsweetened apple sauce are good, or you can try cheese cut in small chunks or sticks, baby carrots, single-serving yogurt cups or any other healthy snack your child might enjoy served in a convenient grab-and-go way.

5. Avoid the dreaded "forbidden fruit" syndrome. If you ban all unhealthy treats, your kids are sure to go off the rails and sneak candy, chips, ice cream and other unhealthy food as soon as they can get behind your back. If you allow an occasional treat or set rules like "desserts only on weekends," they are going to be much happier to live within this framework and not feel the need to rebel against constraints that are just too tight.

Tips & Warnings

• If your child is not overweight, you don't need to look for "low-fat" or "sugar-free" everything--many such items have odd textures or unpleasant flavors and the additives used to substitute for fats or sweeteners may pose their own risks.
• <br>Nuts may be very healthy, but they can be highly allergenic for many children, and some nutritionists suggest that children not be given too many nuts to eat until they are around eight-years-old.