Getting Your Family to Eat Healthy To get your family to eat healthier, include them in the meal planning process. Start with grocery shopping together. Let your children pick out something nutritious the next time you are at the store, such as a new fruit or vegetable. If they pick it out, they are more likely to eat it. Another important tip to remember when shopping is not to succumb to the junk food. Let the temptations stay at the grocery store. Buy wholesome, delicious foods, such as low-fat dairy products, veggies, fruit, whole grains, and lean meats. When you are at home, there won’t be anything but healthy foods to eat.
Once the cupboards and refrigerator are stocked from your grocery trip, let the whole family do its part in preparing and cooking the meals. If children can participate in making the food they are going to eat, they are more likely to try it. As far as snacks are concerned, make them easy and accessible. Cut and wash veggies and fruits and place them in a convenient area in the refrigerator so the whole family can grab them for a quick snack. Place other snacks, such as popcorn, whole grain crackers, or raisins, at the front of the cupboards, so they are the first foods you or your family sees when they grab something to eat.
Try some of these kid friendly snacks or meals:
Place fruit chunks, raw veggies, or cheese cubes on a skewer or on pretzel sticks for an instant kabob.
Make a sandwich with whole-wheat bread, low-fat turkey, lettuce, and tomato and then use a cookie cutter to make your favorite shaped sandwich.
Peel a banana, spread it with yogurt, roll it in your favorite cereal, and then freeze it for a great summer treat.
Try baked pita chips with low-fat bean dip – kids love to dunk their foods and they get a boost of protein at the same time!
Finger foods are always a hit with kids and they are easy to eat. Look for frozen appetizers to heat in the microwave or oven, such as mini-egg rolls or spinach puffs.
Make a fruit smoothie in the blender.
Ants on a log, consisting of celery topped with peanut butter and raisins, are always a favorite. Kids will eat them just because they love the name!
Involve the whole family in the food process, from grocery shopping, to preparing food, to eating meals together, and it will greatly improve your family’s health and well-being. You may get the whole family to try some new foods along the way, too!
For more info about health and nutrition or apple juice health benefits visit Karen H. Cole blog.