Proven Tips that Will Encourage Your Kids to Eat Healthier

If you have kids who are picky eaters, then you will know how challenging it can be to get them to try new food. If you want to make a change and if you want your kids to love the food you are putting in front of them, then this guide is for you.

Give them Multiple Choices

Nobody likes to be forced to do something that they don’t want to do. This is especially the case if you have a rambunctious toddler.  This holds true when you are sat at the kitchen table as well. Even though the choice between apple or celery might not seem like a big deal, it does give your kids the autonomy that they are looking for. It also keeps you in control of the food they are eating. You never know, your child may be somewhat excited to try a new food or a healthy meal, if they feel as though it was their idea.  If you can get your kids involved, then this helps them to be heard. Instead of running the risk of having macaroni cheese for every meal, give them a guideline of what each meal has to include. If you do this then you give them a choice to make, and you are guaranteed to be giving them a balanced diet. 

Source

Let them Make their Plate

Letting your kids take control of their plate is another great way for you to let them showcase their independence and it also helps them to be interested in trying new food. It may take you a few tries, but kids will probably be more willing to try a new food if they feel as though they have chosen it themselves. Meals should always ideally include fruit or vegetables, a complex carbohydrate and a protein. If you can give your child, the option to choose what they want from each category then this will help them to eat well while still feeling like they are practising their independence. If you want them to eat more fruit, try making homemade banana pudding.

Introduce Gateway Foods

Children tend to be suspicious of new things. This can include a lot of healthy foods. It can be difficult to know what the solution is here.  During your child’s first five years, they will learn when to eat, what to eat and how much. A lot of this will be based on cultural practices and the family that they live with. When they are forming their preferred tastes and habits, you need to try and introduce them to a range of food. Fresh vegetables, whole grains, proteins and more are all great here. This will stop them from becoming picky and it will also help them to expand their palate. If your child doesn’t seem keen on carrot sticks, then one thing you can do is pair them with a dipping sauce that they may like. If they don’t seem keen on broccoli, then put it in an omelette for them.

Snacks are Important

Snacks are a fact of life for both children and adults. That being said, it is important to keep those snacks in line. Remember that you need to keep snacks for children very small. You also don’t want to ruin their appetite by giving them a snack too close to lunch. If you know that it is close to dinner time, and they are hungry then give them a taste of whatever it is you are cooking with. If you can do this, then you will soon see a huge improvement in how open they are to trying new food.

Be Mindful

It’s very easy for you to hand your child a bag of cheesy crisps or crackers if they are grumpy and agitated, but this is not the best solution if you want them to develop healthy eating habits. Snacks have to be rich in protein as well as fibre. This is the best way for you to keep your child fuller for longer. It also gives them exposure to a new food, so you can then integrate that into your dinners in the future. Sweet potato chunks, dried banana chips and even avocado slices are all great here, as they are filling, and they are the best way for you to keep your child’s appetite at bay until it is time for them to sit down and have a meal with the family.

If you can implement the above tips, you should see a difference in your child’s eating habits in no time at all.