How to Raise a Healthy Eater Some children are naturally healthy eaters while others are not. Raising a child to be a healthy eater is not just about what foods you give them to eat but, it is also about how you offer these foods to your child. Make sure your child sees you eating healthy foodsChildren learn by example so make sure your kids witness you eating healthy foods. For example choose oatmeal in the morning instead of a cereal full of sugar and preservatives and reach for an apple or carrot sticks for a snack as opposed to a cookie or a bag of potato chips. Remember though that just because you don’t enjoy eating a certain food doesn’t mean that your child will not. Let him try beets or brussels sprouts even if you are not fond of them. He has to develop his own eating habits and tastes as well. You might also discover that your eating tastes grow as foods you never liked or only enjoyed somewhat start to become appealing to you. Eat with your childStudies have shown that families that sit down and eat together tend to eat healthier meals than those who eat on their own or at different times. Even if time constraints make this difficult freeze healthy meals such as stews or casseroles and thaw them before supper and then serve a plate of raw vegetables or a salad to go with the meal. The point is to take the time to be together and to enjoy conversation, laughter and plenty of nutritious fruits and vegetables. Don’t always cave in when your child says “No!”Begin introducing your child to as many new foods as possible, starting around the age of two. However if your child does not want to eat a given food, don’t push it at him or her but try again another day. It often takes up to ten attempts if not more before a child will give something a try. However if you have tried a gazillion times and he always spits it out or grimaces accept the fact that he does not like the food and move on to something else. Seasoning is the keyChildren often like bland, no fuss food but sometimes foods simply have a bitter taste such as broccoli, cabbage or spinach and will taste better with a little bit of seasoning added to them. Suggestions for this include a tiny speck of sugar or sea salt, a dash of low fat butter, some melted cheese, some low fat salad dressing, a dab of mayonnaise, a spoonful of honey or even a dab of maple syrup. Offer crackers or peanut butter. Fun foods are a part of lifeFun foods include goodies such as cake, cookies, cupcakes and chips and sooner or later your child will become exposed to them. Allow your child goodies but always in moderation. Research studies show that when kids are not allowed goodies at all then they become even more sought after by them.
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