Nutrition experts agree: healthy food eating requires that we all eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and fewer saturated fats and junk food.
It may take time and practice, but for healthy eating, children can be persuaded to improve their eating habits—if you use some children tips:
- Hide the healthy eating diet stuff. Chop the "yucky" veggies into tiny pieces and toss them into your spaghetti sauce, casseroles or meatloaf.
- Make faces with cucumber and apple slices to tempt and amuse your young eaters.
- Gradually introduce dark breads. Aim for variety like pumpernickel, rye and multi-grain.
- Sprinkle some goodness by adding flaxseed, bran or wheat germ to breakfast cereal, yogurt or salad.
- Switch to brown rice or whole wheat pasta. Finicky eaters probably won't even notice.
- Replace solid (saturated) fats like shortening, with liquid (mono and polyunsaturated) fats like olive, sunflower and soybean oils.
- Find low-fat treats. Create your own party mix by throwing together toasted oats, wheat squares, pretzels and raisins. Unbuttered popcorn makes a crunchy snack; many kids also like fruit gelled in sugar-free Jell-O!
Shannon Birch is a freelance writer.