How to Get Your Child to Eat Healthy

Like all habits, getting your kids to eat healthy takes practice. There are five basic steps that you can take today to start instilling that habit and improving their diets.

1. If you don’t want your kids eating crap all day, don’t keep crap in the house.

Most of us don’t like this first rule, but it is an important one. I have a fully developed brain and even I have an impossible time choosing a salad over a bag of Cheetos when both options are presented to me.

Rid your pantry of junk food so that they aren’t so readily available for your kids to grab. Instead, substitute these unhealthy snacks for healthier options.

2. Model healthy eating.

As the saying goes, you have to walk the talk. The healthier you eat, the more normalized it will feel for your children to follow suit. Lead by example! 

3. Get your kids involved in preparing and cooking meals. 

Some kids love being able to stir the bowl or add a bit of the spice they chose. While you want to limit their choices for the sake of your taste buds (and sanity), they will be more likely to eat these meals as a family if they contributed to the final product.

4. Use small moments to teach children about the food and body connection.

Take some time during your family bonding moments in the kitchen and over the dinner table to explain to your kids how healthy food can make us feel happier and stronger.

5. Give forced choices over unlimited options.

For example, instead of asking them, “what do you want to eat?”, try asking, “do you want chicken or fish?”

A family-based approach to healthy eating habits has shown to be most effective in raising healthy eating children (insert citation). But don’t feel like you need to force it! And don’t stress over it. Just remember the most important pieces from these five steps – model healthy eating behavior and limit the availability of junk food.