How do you keep your child on healthy eating habits?
Posted on September 10th, 2011, by
More importantly, how do you get them to START with the healthy eating habits and quit the bad ones?
How do you tell your child they cannot have that second cookie, or that cone of ice cream and avoid their disappointment?
What were some things you did with your children to get them to PREFER eating healthier?
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September 10th, 2011 at 8:10 am
Get them watching the Wiggles!!! They promote healthy eating habits with kids. The save biscuits for when a friend comes over and they’ll start seeing ti as treat food.
You can also get some great books on making healthy foods more appealing to kids. Having them watch you prepare the meals and participate is another good way. Kids need a sense of pride in what they do, so chopping up some fruit and having them help select what goes into the fruit salad is a good way have them eat it.
Plant some vegies in a pot or in the garden, and have the kids help you with them. They’ll have a sense of pride when they pick the fresh vegies they helped to grow. And they’ll want to eat their vegies. We have a few vegies in and the eldest helps out in her own way, And she loves cucumber because she helped to pick it, and other vegies too.
September 10th, 2011 at 8:10 am
Well your job is to be their parent, not their friend. So if my child were to get upset at not having a second cookie, I wouldn’t care. I’m doing what is best for my child. And my child is too young to know what is best. That said, we talk about nutrition all the time. I talk to him about what is healthy, what isn’t, what happens to people who don’t take care of themselves, etc. If my child gets disappointed, I just use compassion to say I understand their feelings, but it’s mommy’s job to keep him healthy, not to give him things that are bad for him. Because I’m his mommy and love him and I want what’s best for him. He understands it very well. In fact, one time he saw a friend of his eat two ice cream cones and no food. And I wondered what he’d think. And all he said the next day was, "Could you believe "kid" ate two ice cream cones. That’s really bad for her. She’s not going to be healthy." He’s right!
Also, I never let my child eat dessert without eating fruits and veggies first. Never! If he chooses to not eat his fruits and veggies, I say, okay, he doesn’t have to. But he doesn’t get the dessert, no matter what. And he knows I mean it. So he always chooses to eat the fruits and veggies. But you have to stick to it, or you have no power, and then they won’t eat healthy. My child always chooses the healthy alternatives. If this is something new for you guys, it might be a bit of a struggle at first. But if you stick to it, your child will realize you mean business. And you’re doing what’s best for your child, so just remember that. Good for you!
September 10th, 2011 at 8:10 am
start by not having the crap in the house. My rule is if we have biscuits then they can have 2. That’s the rule and they don’t argue. Lead by example and allow the occasional treat
September 10th, 2011 at 8:10 am
We just taught them what treats are, LOL. Like blueberries and raspberries are treats. Now when people ask them what kind of treat they want they ask for berries.
They do get goodies, etc. but only on their birthdays, Christmas, and Halloween. They know the rules.