Is Your Child Fussy About Eating Healthy Foods?

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Would you like to know  10 top tips to get your kids to eat more healthily? I have spoken to many parents who are struggling to get their kids to eat healthily. As a kid, I was also a fussy eater. My Mum did not know what to do. I used to pick at this and that, and she was so frustrated about it.

So how do we educate our kids about healthy eating and how can we motivate them to eat healthy foods? In my experience, I would say make it FUN. Kids actually do like healthy foods and are open to eating them if they see them presented in the right way. Of course, it´s better to start educating children about this when they are young, especially when they start eating solids. Solids such as mashed up fruit and veggies are going to give them a taste of what´s to come in the future. Kids need to eat fruits, veggies, wholesome grains, and dairy products. Their bodies are developing at a rapid rate, and they need all the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals that they can get. Try these top tips: Try these top tips:

1. Be a role model – Always eat healthy foods yourself.

Remember that you are a role model for your children and that children tend to copy behaviours. If they see you eating healthily, then the chances are that they will eat the same foodstuff as you. If they see you munching on chockie, chips and drinking sugary drinks, then they are going to want to do that too. Choose food items that they can see you enjoying.

2. Kick out the obsessiveness – Avoid being a pushy parent.

With regards to this point, I have to come clean and say that I have been guilty of that. However, then I realized that this was not the right way. Of course, as a Mother, I want the best for my son, but I had to learn to loosen the grip a little. I taught my son that he could have most things, but showed him that BALANCE is key! I taught him about healthy foods and the importance of these to help him grow and function. I also advised him about the foods that don´t nourish his body. KIDS ARE WHAT THEY EAT ARE BUILT OUT OF THE FOODS THEY CONSUME. He knows that he can have treats but just not every day.  He comes and asks me for cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, and other healthy foodstuffs. Now that´s a great result.

3. Make it FUN

Cut some raw veggies in interesting, funny shapes such as stars, moons, planets; you name it! Be creative! My son and I made rainbows and other forms which he thought was fun. He was more motivated to eat them.

4. Get them to help in the kitchen!

If they are old enough to help you in the kitchen that´s a high motivation for them. Ask them to help you, and they will discover their cooking skills and be motivated to eat something that they made.  Let your child be creative too even if it means the kitchen looks a mess for a while.

5. Choose exciting snacks

We also don´t like to eat boring, tasteless foods and our kids are no different. Choose things like celery sticks with homemade hummus (mash up some chickpeas and add olive oil), cucumber with sour cream, different kinds of nuts (be careful about nut allergies and choking), breadsticks, carrots, tomatoes with herbs and cheese. I also make sure that we carry healthy snacks with us when we go out (such as bananas) as I know an unhealthy option may result if we walk past a  bakery!

6. Appreciate your kids for their efforts

Praise your children for choosing to eat healthy foods and let him or her know that they can go shopping with you to pick things for themselves (yes, they will probably ask for the chocolate at the checkout). Moreover, yes, let them have that treat now and again!

7. Keep healthy foods on display and within reach

If children see healthy options, they are more likely to grab and eat them. Try and keep healthy food choices on display, such as a bowl of fruit as this will definitely help you to get your kids to eat more healthily.

8. The power of fruits and veggies

I could go on all day about the power of eating fruits and veggies and not just for kids and this goes for all humans living on this planet.

These power-packed, nutrient-dense foods come from nature, and that´s why our cells recognize them. They may not be the favourite food types for our kids, but they are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and dietary fibre which are all essential to the growth and development of our children.

Children should eat a wide variety of fruits and veggies – mainly a rainbow of colours. Fruits and veggies are low in calories and fat making them an excellent choice for kids. These food options may also reduce the risk of disease and other ailments, and they may help prevention of illnesses in the future.

Antioxidants and phytonutrients are also packed with fruits and veggies, and these are responsible for protecting and nourishing the body at a cellular level. Check out my Personal Product Story and Children’s Health on my website if you would like to have an idea of how to optimize your children’s health.

9. Cut down on sugary beverages

This subject rattles my cage! Kids are just consuming too much sugar, and it has terrible side effects on their health. To give you a guide, the recommended amount of sugar our children should be consuming is a follows:

• Kids 4-6 years old 19grams = 5 Teaspoons
• Kids 7-10 years old 24grams = 6 Teaspoons
• Kids from 11 years  30grams = 7 Teaspoons

Can you believe that one can of fizzy drink contains as much as nine teaspoons of sugar? OMG! Instead, try sparkling water (still water would be better) with small amounts of unsweetened juice. Make milkshakes with ice and fruit.

10. For those Mums to Be!

Healthy eating starts during pregnancy! Flavours of the Mum´s diet reaches the uterus allowing the fetus to experience flavours. I can remember when I was pregnant; I stuffed my face with lots of potatoes and strawberries. I loved the smell of anything that came out of the earth. Guess what my son loves to eat? Strawberries and potatoes. What else!

Please drop me a comment. I would love to know whether you have any challenges with your beautiful, fussy, little eaters.

DISCLAIMER

The information in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not replace any advice given by a medical practitioner or nutritional therapist.

You must consult your doctor before embarking on any diet or nutritional/exercise program detailed on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Your doctor knows what is right for you.

The information mentioned above does not serve as a cure or prevention for any illness, disease or medical problems.  SEE DISCLAIMER .

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