Obesity is a concern for every parent as they raise their children. The food temptations in the world are staggering in number, and teaching your kids about the right choices can be daunting. However, there are several tricks to get your children on the right track for a healthy lifestyle. Explore these tips so that you can apply them in your house.
Proximity Counts
Fill the house with healthy and wholesome foods, and kids will have no choice but to eat them. It's a fact that your children will eat foods that are simply available to them in the house. Fill up the fruit bowl with apples, bananas and strawberries. The colorful hues will entice them to eat up.
Sneak it In
Your children may be incredibly picky or stubborn, depending on their ages. It might be necessary to squeeze in some foods that are surprises to the kids. Hide cauliflower in mashed potatoes, or dice up carrots into a ground-beef mixture. Allowing desired foods to take over the palate while hiding some wholesome foods will help you round out the children's diets. When they're older, you can reveal the truth so that they know the food tasted good even if they didn't believe in eating it in the first place.
Insist on Quality Ingredients
Take a look at your grocery list before you grab items off of the shelves. Although bargain brands might be financially appealing, they may not have the wholesome ingredients that your children crave. Consider quality ingredients in your food, such as grains found in kaiser rolls. Some companies, such as Klosterman Baking Company, know how important it is to have good quality ingredients in your food. These rolls offer a unique texture and taste so that your children are excited about making a sandwich with lots of vegetables.
Avoid Nagging
A sure way to encourage poor eating habits is by nagging your children. Judging their food choices by indicating "good" or "bad" selections will only cause them to be rebellious. They'll inevitably choose foods that they're excited about, such as chips or ice cream, because this action receives a reaction from you. Observe your children's eating patterns, but don't nag them at each meal. It only negates any progress toward a wholesome diet.
Teaching your children to cook their own meals is a great way to instill confidence in them while advocating for healthy foods. When kids know that vegetables and fruits are core parts of a favorite recipe, they'll be more inclined to eat the foods with that knowledge. As the years pass by, your kids will choose better foods for their overall health.
Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn't on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @RachelleWilber; https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009221637700