How to Get Your Kids to Eat Healthier (and Like It!)
As a mom, my day is packed with after-school activities, homework help, and a seemingly endless list of things to do around the house. Finding the time to cook a healthy and hearty meal is usually the last thing on my list, so it’s often frozen pizza and hot dogs for dinner. My kids haven’t raised any complaints about the cuisine so far, but I know these daily frozen dinners won’t do them any favors in the long run. If you’re in the same boat and wondering how to get your kids to eat healthier, never fear. These three helpful hints will have your kids clamoring for carrots and celery in no time.
Lead by Example
The best way to get your kids to eat healthier is to be a role model and lead by example. My kids love to play the mirror game, following my every move and repeating everything I say back to me. This game can become a bit tiresome, but I’ve learned to use it to my advantage. When my kids see me enjoying a tasty snack of apples and oranges instead of chips and cookies, they’re more likely to do the same.
Make Food Fun
As a kid, I was frequently reminded not to play with my food, but as a mom, I’ve learned that playing with your food is actually a great way to get your kids to eat healthier. Incorporating your kids’ favorite colors into the meal or arranging the dish in an interesting pattern gives mealtime an added element of fun, and your kids will be more likely to eat their whole meal without any complaints. Making up fun names for healthy dishes is also a fan favorite. My kids love to sing “The Ants Go Marching” while eating their ants on a log, a healthy snack of peanut butter, celery, and raisins.
Get Creative
If your kids are still putting up a fight over the presence of veggies on their plate, it may be time to get creative—and perhaps just a little bit sneaky. Start by switching up your menu and incorporating more interesting dishes. Start off the day with a healthy and colorful smoothie bowl, treat your kids to fun snacks such as banana sushi during the day, and finish the night with a delicious and nutritious dinner. My kids love when I put together a loaded sweet potato bar or DIY burrito bowls because they can customize the dish themselves. If your kids have eagle eyes and can spot a single pea from a mile away, you may need to get even more creative. Try pureeing cauliflower and adding it to mashed potatoes or hiding a blend of carrots, cauliflower, and butternut squash in macaroni and cheese.
