If you’re a parent, you already know that eating healthy foods offers a wealth of mental and physical benefits for your family. Little ones are pretty crafty about sniffing out healthy foods and refusing to eat them though, so what you might not know is how to counter these moves.
Now is the perfect time to get your family’s eating habits back on track and finally convince even the pickiest eaters that healthy foods are delicious. So here are a few crafty tricks from Review Swami to change those mealtime habits for good.
Eat Smarter While Working From Home
As ZenBusiness points out, working from home has numerous advantages, not the least of which is greater access to your own kitchen and pantry — which means greater potential for healthy eating.
If it’s a home breaktime snack you’re craving, instead of relying on processed sugars, try creating your own snacks that incorporate seasonal fruits. You’ll still enjoy that sweetness while also increasing your water intake.
Add some healthy dip in easy-to-squeeze condiment bottles and you’ve got easy self-serve for the kids. Also think about adding some gut-healthy probiotics during these snack breaks, with foods like kimchi or kombucha, to aid your family’s digestive system and even out those moods.
Eat Together to Eat Better
When families eat together, at least three or more times a week, kids develop better eating patterns, choose healthier foods, and are more willing to try new foods, as noted by Goodnet. Older kids also tend to succumb less to peer pressure, and they’re also less likely to use alcohol, drugs, or tobacco and more likely to do better in school. With school out and schedules less busy, try to plan some regular sit-down dinners with your kids.
Cook Together to Stay Healthier
Home-cooked meals are generally healthier because they contain fresher ingredients, less fat and sugar, and fewer calories. When you involve the whole family in creating the menus, shopping, and preparing the food, kids tend to absorb healthy eating facts and habits better. They may even have fun doing so!
Just remember that when cooking with the kids, things can get messy, even if you’re just asking them to hold the phone to show you a new recipe. Consider adding an antimicrobial screen protector to your phone or tablet. It will kill bacteria while protecting your gadget from spills, splashes, and accidental damage.
Add a Little Interest to Mealtimes
Introducing new foods to younger family members? Create a tasting menu with smaller, tidbit portions and invite the kids to touch, smell, and taste each item. Make a series of new, simple recipes and invite everyone to rate or vote on them — favorite new dishes can make a return trip to the table. Cook weekly or monthly themed dinners that feature foods from a different country or dishes inspired by a favorite movie or book. Not only will you keep kids entertained, but you will also keep them eating healthy (without them knowing it).
Eat Somewhere Unexpected
If you want to keep healthy meals interesting, try having a meal in different surroundings.
Spread a blanket on the living room floor for an indoor picnic. When nature cooperates, pack a cooler or basket with a DIY take-out meal of seasonal fruits and veggies and fun (but healthy) picnic foods.
Take a Field Trip to the Farmers’ Market
When you shop at the farmers’ market, you’re supporting local family farmers. But that’s not the only good reason to go! You’ll also get access to fresh produce and goods each week. You can introduce your children to different foods in each growing season. Encourage your kiddos to pick out a vegetable or fruit each trip — it’s a great way to broaden the palate and encourage more adventurous, healthy eating.
Keep Your Cool with Hydrating Foods
Who doesn’t reach for ice cream or Italian ice when the temperatures soar? All that sugar can be bad for your mental health. So, instead, munch on cucumbers, watermelon, peaches, apples, pineapples, leafy greens, lemons, and zucchini. These are effective at helping you feel cooler, and the kids should enjoy the wholesome snacks.
You want your kids to have fun but you also want to keep your family healthy. By using the handy hacks above, you can do both and help your entire family develop habits that will lead them to better food choices all year round. Of course, you can still indulge in your favorite treats but remember moderation is key!
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