| Most of us have a pretty good idea of what healthy | | | | counter at all times or have a container with carrots |
| eating is: lots of fruits and vegetables and not too | | | | and celery sticks ready to go in the refrigerator. You |
| much fat and sugar. But when it comes to kids, | | | | might be surprised at how many more fruits and |
| knowing what is healthy is only the start. And even if | | | | vegetables your kid will eat simply by having them |
| you shop ‘healthy' it does not mean that your kid | | | | visible and easy to grab. |
| will willingly eat it. | | | | Make learning about food fun. Taking some of the |
| There is hope. Kids need some extra encouragement | | | | mystery out of where foods come from can work |
| and guidance along with a few of these strategies | | | | wonders for some selective eaters. Prepare family |
| your kid is sure to eat healthy. | | | | meals together, have your kid mix the ingredients and |
| Be a gatekeeper. It's likely that the easiest way to get | | | | serve the food to the rest of the family. Plant a |
| your kids to eat healthy is to remove the less-healthy | | | | vegetable garden as a family project and put your kid |
| options. Take control over what food and snack | | | | in charge of watering and picking the ripe vegetables. |
| choices are in your home. If a kid is hungry they will eat | | | | Kids that are involved are more likely to be a willing |
| it when there isn't an alternative. Have you ever heard | | | | participant in the eating process. |
| of a kid starving to death because his parents would | | | | Keep an eye on Portion sizes. Parents often stress |
| not feed him potato chips? | | | | over how much their kids should be eating. Whether |
| Keep healthy food in sight. As for those | | | | you are trying to get a selective eater to take a bite |
| less-than-good-for-you foods, keep them in high | | | | of anything green or limit the amount of dessert your |
| cabinets and out of your kid's reach. Arrange your | | | | sweet-toothed kid wants watching portions is |
| refrigerator and cabinets so that healthy foods are the | | | | necessary. Knowing the size of a healthy portion will |
| first foods that you see. If you choose to have some | | | | give you some needed perspective. You can use the |
| unhealthy options in the house keep them out of sight | | | | USDA's Guidelines for Healthy Eating to learn about |
| and you and your kids will be much less likely to | | | | what a healthy portion is. |
| choose them as an option. | | | | Set a healthy example. Keep in mind that eating meals |
| Make healthy food convenient. Wholesome foods, | | | | together isn't just a great way to catch up on your |
| particularly fruits and vegetables require little | | | | family's day it is also the perfect time to role-model |
| preparation which is great for your ‘starving' kid | | | | healthy eating habits. Kids learn by watching their |
| and you. Have a fruit basket at eye level on the | | | | parents...That's food for thought! |