5 Ways to Get Kids Excited for Healthy Meals
Are you tired of your kids not eating the meals you prepare? Meals are stressful— from the planning and prepping, to the frustration at meal time, not to mention all the dishes to clean up!
First, I want to congratulate you on your efforts to have family meals. Family meals statistically have so many positive outcomes other than health. So keep up the good work!
The information below is designed for long-term, well-balanced eating for the whole family.
1. Be the Example
Your kids are watching what you eat. If there are limited vegetables that you will eat your child may also be selective. If you serve three foods for dinner and you choose not to eat the potatoes you need to be okay if they choose not to eat ANY one of the foods as well.
2. Watch Snacks
Timing is important. Snacks can't be too close to meals if you want them to be receptive of meals offered. If snacks are available whenever, kids know if they don't like the meal they will just ask for a snack. If you lose track of time and they ask for a snack right before a meal they will likely struggle to eat much at that meal. Offer real whole veggies if you are close to having a meal ready.
3. Take Off the Pressure
Even young toddlers know what foods you want them to eat. Positive phrases about foods offered at the meal does not actually encourage them to eat those foods. In my experience it actually deters them from trying it. Your child's role for meals is to choose if they will eat and how much they will eat.
4. No Short-Order Cooking
No short order cooking means one meal is made for the entire family. If a few family members such as kids don't like the grilled chicken, you do not throw a few hot dogs on the grill for them. It is a win if they simply watch you enjoy the grilled chicken. Remember your child's role, listed above. Your role is to choose the foods for your family.
5. Add Flavor
Naturally taste buds adjust with time. Vegetables can be naturally bitter. Roasting vegetables until they have a brown toasty color around the edges brings out the sweetness making them more enjoyable for all. Try new recipes, utilize spices and offer sauces to learn to love the foods you serve.
Well balanced meals for the whole family saves time as only one meal is prepared, decreases stress as parents and children only focus on their role and can be fun as everyone learns to love new foods.
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