How do you get your kids to eat healthy?

It seems kids always prefer eating junk food rather than healthy, nutritious meals. Why is this? I have no idea! But put a plate of steamed broccoli, carrots, fresh tomatoes and onions with steamed chicken close to a plate of burger and fries with a chilled soda drink. Can you guess the one they would choose?

7 out of 10 kids would choose the burger with fries and the soda drink.

You know how important it is that your kids eat healthy meals. If you are already in the habit of feeding your kids the right way, then you have nothing to worry about. But if you haven’t, well, this article will help you out.

Before I became a mom myself, I had my nephews and nieces who had issues eating healthy meals.

I remember getting them to eat their beans by telling them that they will grow as tall as daddy when they do. And did it work? It sure did because they all wanted to be tall.

So, now that I am a mum, I found myself faced with the same challenge.

So, yes, you are not alone. Most parents have this same struggle.

Getting your child to eat healthy meals might not be so much of a challenge if you introduced him to it at a very tender age.

But you are not to blame if you are guilty of giving your kids junk more often. We all want the best for our kids and giving them foods that taste sweet (but maybe not the most nutritious) always seems to go down well with them.

But it’s time to change that up so that your kids can start eating healthy without struggles.

Getting your kids to eat healthy meals

Have healthy meal options in the house 

When you stock up on healthy veggies like carrots, apples, bananas, berries, fresh juice, there are little chances of your kids choosing unhealthy options. Make sure you have these available in ready-to-eat form.

Cut veggies into fun shapes

You can use food cutter to cut foods into fun shapes like triangle, circle, square, star and rectangular shapes. While plating it, you can always use the shapes to create a face, a human being, a house or any other thing that catches their fantasy. It also allows you to incorporate different colors of veggies while at it.

Take them grocery shopping

Take your kid to the fruit and groceries section and ask them to make their choice. If they pick it, then chances are that they will eat it.

Get them involved in the cooking

Whether it is mashing sweet potatoes or adding bananas and milk to the smoothie maker get them involved in the process. You can compliment them as they help out. If they helped to make it, they will be more willing to eat it.

Blend the veggies

Blending veggies is another way to get veggies into your kid’s beef sauce. Don’t overdo it so that it does not take up the taste of the sauce.

Be a role model

Kids are good at mimicking adults. If your kid sees you eating slices of carrot and other veggies, he will want to try it out. Don’t be munching on French fries while asking him to eat his veggies.

Dish in smaller chunks

Some kids get turned off when they see a plate full of foods they don’t like. You can serve your child meals up to 6 times in a day. Just make sure the portions aren’t much at a time.

Reduce takeout

If you spend more time eating homemade meals, you tend to eat healthier than takeouts and restaurant meals that you cannot tell what it’s made of.

Turn mealtimes to catching-up times

Get to eat meals together. And while at it, get your kids to talk about their day or whatever thing they are involved in. Let the discussion be fun and not a mission to ‘force him to eat his veggies.’ Your child will be more open to eating his meal in a fun atmosphere.

Introduce new foods at the peak of hunger

Even as an adult, you will be more willing to eat a meal you are not crazy about when you are very hungry with no other option in sight. The same thing can be applied when dealing with kids. Don’t give him snacks but allow him to get really hungry and then present the healthy meal option you have prepared. He might not eat it out of love, but will certainly eat it out of hunger.

Trade junk with healthy alternatives

If your kids already prefer a particular type of meal, you can switch it with healthy options that appear almost the same. For instance, you can trade French fries with baked ones, fried chicken for grilled or baked chicken. You can also trade ice cream with yogurt, smoothies, and sorbet. In place of a doughnut, try homemade English muffins or bagel made with lesser sugar.

Wrapping it up

Don’t beat up yourself about getting your kids to eat healthy meal options. You as an adult have a hard time sticking to the rules every time. Why force your kid to stick to rigid meal pattern. If you fail to get him to eat his meal today, try again tomorrow.

Here are some bonus tips:

• Do not force your kid into eating what you think he should be eating. Doing so will create an aversion to such foods and ruin any chance they have of accepting it naturally.
• Focus more on stocking up the house with healthy foods and you will increase the chances of your kid eating it.
• Try to let your kid know the importance of every food to help them in accepting to eat it.

These tips helped me in getting my 4-year old to eating more of his veggies than he would have been able to in the first place.

What’s your best tips for getting your kids to eat more healthy food? Share in the comments!