4 Tips to Keep Your Family Eating Healthy All Year Long
This guy named Dylan reached out to me a few weeks back
He offered to write an article on healthy eating for me to share with my network
I didn’t know him from Adam but I appreciated the offer
As many of my readers (of my book and blogs) know, I am eating healthier these days
And my newer, healthier habits are rubbing off on my kids and hopefully my network
And that includes you!
So I was excited to see what Dylan had to share
Well. His article “4 Tips to Keep Your Family Eating Healthy All Year Long” has arrived
And I must say, I like the tips
So happy to pass them along
And Yes Dylan, I am being a good role model 😊 (a.k.a. Tip #4) or at least, trying my best to be
The article is below. Check it out
You can check out his website as well
http://healthwellwise.com
Thanks so much for sharing and caring Dylan Foster
4 Tips to Keep Your Family Eating Healthy All Year Long
As adults, we understand the importance of eating a balanced diet. On the other hand, our kids can have a hard time wrapping their heads around the fact that they should be reaching for veggies over ice cream when they think that ice cream taste better.
This doesn’t have to be the case. Building good habits starts young, and with the right guidance, you can teach your kids to have a lifelong appreciation for healthy foods. Here are a few strategies to help you get started.
- Create a Balanced Diet
Keep in mind that your kids have different nutritional needs than you. In fact, kids of different ages have varying requirements. What your five-year-old should eat is different than what your two-year-old should. Check with your pediatrician to make sure you are providing them with the proper nutrients. As a loose guideline, check out KidsHealth’s diagram on what their plates should generally look like.
Finding the proper nutritional balance is key. What we consume affects everything we do. In addition to having a profound impact on your child’s growth and development, it affects their mental health. Everything you eat and drink plays a role in how you cope with stress, depression, and anxiety. Keeping a balanced diet will boost physical health and improve moods.
- Stock the House with Healthy Snacks
We all get hungry between meals. Snacking is a natural part of the day, especially for kids. Be sure to provide your kids with plenty of healthy snack options. PBS recommends making sure these snacks are easily accessible. Children tend to follow the path of least resistance. Try pre-cutting fruits and veggies and sticking them in the fridge so they can grab them easily on their own.
If you are still worried about them munching on too many chips when you are not around, resist the urge to set up a restrictions or reward system. Often, these policies have a tendency to backfire. Simply don’t stock those foods in the house instead.
- Purchase Seasonal Fruits and Veggies
One of the reasons kids tend to reject fruits and vegetables is because they’re not fresh. Frozen or canned foods have less flavor than those that are freshly picked. When possible, serve them fresh, seasonal foods. Not only do they taste better, but they also have more nutritional value.
Try taking them to a local farmers market. This is a great opportunity for them to explore new types of fruits and veggies they might not otherwise know exist. You can even make a game out of finding a new food to try together! If they feel they have a say in what you’re eating, they will be more likely to eat it.
- Be a Role Model
It’s not enough to talk to your kids about healthy eating. Kids tend to mimic what they see. If you stress the importance of eating a salad but then go and have a burger from a fast food joint, it’s going to undo your lessons. It’s up to you to be a role model. If they see you enjoying a salad, they are more likely to enjoy it too.
Do not underestimate the importance of sitting down to have a meal together. It can provide you with an opportunity to control what and how much they eat. Not only is it the perfect time to set an example, but it is also great for their mental well-being. It allows you to catch up with each other and stay involved in their lives. Family meals lead to stronger bonds and healthier kids.
Healthy Eating is a Lifestyle
The trick to getting you and your family to eat healthily is to not think of it as a challenge, but instead as a lifestyle. Once you begin incorporating these habits, the easier they’ll become. This is incredibly important with kids. Building these good habits now can lead to a lifetime of good choices.
Photo courtesy of Pexels.
Thanks Dylan 🙂
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I am looking forward to helping you along YOUR journey of change!
Cheers
Dave
