What to Eat: Turning Your Picky Eaters into Healthy Eaters
Foods are constantly changing. What is trendy and in-season is going to be constantly changing. However, what is going to be nutritional is always going to be the same. As a parent, it is important to stick to family mealtimes and teach your children the importance of consuming whole, real and when possible, organic foods.
How to teach your children what whole foods are: How many ingredients are found …show more content…
Food is meant to nourish the body not to be used as a punishment or a reward. Teach your child, even at an early age, to have a healthy relationship with food. Food should never be used as positive or negative reinforcement. If you are looking for a reward for positive behavior, always opt for non-food related rewards.
Know when to enforce healthy eating. At birthday parties and around the holidays, healthy eating can be a challenge. When it comes to special events, be flexible but still have a plan. Give your child a choice between two different whole food-based treats to celebrate special events. Be sure to let your child know that birthdays and holidays aren 't necessarily a day to abandon all healthy choices. Birthdays are a time to celebrate good health.
During the holidays, be sure that your child understands why we celebrate holidays and that holidays are not an excuse to overindulge. If your child is old enough, allow them to participate in the meal prep for a holiday meal. This will help them to appreciate all of the hard work and effort that goes into preparing a healthy meal. This is bound to make raising a healthy eater …show more content…
If you are thinking that you are way too busy to integrate healthy living into your family 's chaotic schedule, you are wrong. Even the busiest of families can make time for healthy eating; especially when it comes to raising healthy eaters.
Remember you spend all day at work so that you can provide for your family. Your hard-earned money should go towards food items that are food for your family. Sure food prep may take a little time, but there is no sense is throwing your hard-earned cash away by purchasing fast food and processed foods. Think about the power that healthy foods have over your mind and body as well as your child 's. Take a little time each week to write down your child 's as well as your entire family 's nutrition goals.Remember, raising a healthy eater does not happen overnight.
Start slow and work in the direction of achieving your goals as a healthy family. Taking baby steps will help you to achieve your goals. Is your family big on drinking soda? This might be the perfect place to start! Start by replacing one glass of soda a day with water and work your way so you have eliminated soda from you and your family 's