by Lindsay from Florida
Trying to motivate kids to embrace healthy eating? Here is what I’ve learned. . .
As a mom of two lively youngsters, I know firsthand the challenges that come with encouraging children to eat healthily. It often feels like a battle of wills, with vegetables being met with wrinkled noses and protests. Determined to instill good eating habits in my kids, I embarked on a journey to find creative and effective ways to motivate them to embrace nutritious foods. Join me as I share my experiences and the strategies that have worked wonders in our family.
Lead Through Example
My children were watching my every move, so I realized eating healthy foods myself would inspire them. I made sure to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while expressing enthusiasm and enjoyment. By showing my kids that I love nutritious foods, I set an example for them to follow.
Empower with Knowledge
Kids are naturally curious, so I took advantage of that by educating them about the benefits of healthy eating. We explored children's books and watched educational videos for kids that taught them about different food groups, key nutrients, and their roles in the body. This knowledge empowered them to make educated choices about their eating and understand how it fuels their bodies.
Make Healthy Foods Fun
A lot of the unhealthy snacks and treats are so appealing to small kids because they have fun shapes, colors or designs. I started creating colorful fruit skewers, arranging veggies with dip into funny faces, and using cookie cutters to make sandwiches. By making healthy foods visually appealing, I piqued their curiosity and made mealtime more interesting.
Get Kids Cooking
To give my kids a sense of ownership over their food choices, I began involving them in meal planning and cooking. Together, we visited the grocery store and checked various whole foods off our list, like vegetables, fruits, beans and fish.
Back in the kitchen, they helped wash and chop vegetables or mix in the ingredients for meals. By participating in the process, they became more invested in the outcome. They were more likely to try the healthy foods they had a hand in creating.
Reward Achievements
I created a reward chart, where my kids earned a sticker for every new healthy food they tried. This made mealtime more exciting for them and gave me a chance to reward small victories. I praised their efforts and expressed my pride.
Final Thoughts
Motivating little ones to eat healthy can be challenging, but it's not an impossible task. By leading through example, making healthy foods more fun, involving them in meal prep, educating them and celebrating their achievements, I've seen remarkable progress in my children's eating habits. While it takes time and patience, seeing them make educated choices and appreciate healthy food is truly rewarding.
This blog was written by one of our guest bloggers, Lindsay.
About Lindsay. . .
Lindsay is a health, fitness and lifestyle blog writer. She's a mom to 2 kids (boy and girl) and currently lives in Florida.
Want more inspiration to encourage healthy eating habits? Check out a few lessons at www.wichealth.org. We have a little something for everyone. . .browse the lessons to see what might inspire you, but we think you will especially find the Choosing Healthy Foods category helpful.
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