How To Get Your Kids To Eat What’s Good For Them

It’s the oldest question in the book – how do you get your kids to eat what’s good for them?

If life were like that old cereal commercial (“He likes it! Hey Mikey!”) things would be a lot easier. But reality and fantasy don’t often mix at the supper table and most kids would rather eat anything except their fruits and vegetables.

Here are a few suggestions about keeping them on the right track, even when there’s hundreds of manufacturers who’d be only too happy to lead them into temptation.

Get ‘Em Young

Good habits can last a lifetime and kids are no different that the rest of us – we’re creatures of habit. If you teach them the proper way to do it early, chances are better that it will sink in for the long run.

Try Variety

Kids have their favourites, but exposing them to a wide sector of foods will increase the chances that they’ll make better choices. But experts suggest you only introduce one new food at a time, perhaps accompanied   by a meal they already like.

Be Calorie Smart

Your kids don’t care what’s in the foods they eat but you should. Canada has a great nutrition labeling system, which tells you how much fat, sugar, salt and other ingredients are in just about every packaged product. Calorie counts are there, too. But they’re useless if you don’t read them and base your servings on what they say.

Pick The Right Stuff

There’s a lot of lower fat products on the market and most of them taste pretty good. Low fat dairy, lean meat and whole grains are among your best choices.

Insist on Movement

Insist that your kids get a set amount of physical activity every day, especially when they’re not in school. Chances are, depending on their age, they really won’t be able to sit still for too long, anyway. Look for activities they can do that engage not only their minds but their bodies.

Get Them Interested

Take your kids shopping when you go, and if they’re old enough, let them walk through the aisles with you. Give them a ‘say’ in what you buy and try to explain the choices you’re making.

Don’t Force The Issue

Many children won’t want to eat Brussels sprouts or broccoli no matter what you do. Don’t be too insistent, and try to re-introduce them to the foods they reject in a few weeks.

Eat It Yourself

Don’t expect them to taste what you won’t. Lead by example and they’ll follow with a sample.

Food as a Weapon

Never use food as a reward or a punishment. It sends the wrong message and it can be hard to alter it later on.

Source: Canadian Pediatric Society