Most parents will admit that getting their kids to eat healthy foods can be a battle. It’s not always easy to persuade children to try new dishes or eat their greens, but healthy eating is so important for growth and development. If you’re on a mission to get the kids on board, here are some child-friendly healthy eating hacks to try today.
Cook together
Cooking with your children is a great way to encourage them to take an interest in nutrition and learn about healthy foods and why they’re important. Children enjoy being in the kitchen and getting their hands dirty, and they’ll be more interested in tasting dishes they’ve helped to make. Kids get a sense of satisfaction from making meals and cooking can help them to expand their horizons and be more adventurous. You can make lunches and dinners together or search for a fruit leather recipe if you’re looking for healthy snacks. Depending on the age of your children, you can let them help with tasks, such as measuring, pouring and mixing ingredients.
Make healthy food fun
Children usually respond more positively to food that looks enticing and plates that are fun and colorful. Most parents don’t have time to turn every plate into a piece of art, but it’s a great idea to be creative if you have a few minutes to spare. You could turn a cucumber into a crocodile or make penguins out of bananas, or stick to simple, effective ideas like using pieces of fruit and chopped vegetables to make smiley faces. If you’re short on inspiration, there are some fantastic ideas online. Check food magazines and blogs and social media for simple, fun recipes.
Add hidden vegetables
Most children will complain about eating vegetables at some stage. For parents, it can be hard to convince kids to try different vegetables. One trick that often works is to hide vegetables within dishes that your kids love. Take pasta and tomato sauce, for example. If you’re making a sauce from scratch, you can add blended celery, spinach, carrots, mushrooms and onions to the pot without your child even noticing. Fruit smoothies that contain vegetables are another great option for breakfast and brunch.
Enjoy a treat from time to time
We all enjoy a treat now and again. As a parent, it’s natural to want your kids to be as healthy as possible, but banning foods altogether can be counterproductive. We often crave the foods that we know we shouldn’t eat or eliminate from our diets. Having a treat can help to keep cravings at bay and encourage a healthy relationship with food. There’s nothing wrong with a slice of pizza or a cake on a Saturday when you’re celebrating special occasions and you’ve eaten well throughout the week.
Trying to encourage children to eat healthily can be a struggle for parents. If your kids are reluctant to try different foods, or they complain about eating their greens, try these simple hacks. Cook healthy meals and snacks together, make healthy food fun and add hidden vegetables to meals they love. Talk about the benefits of healthy food and enjoy a treat now and again.
