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Eating healthy is not talked about enough. While everyone knows the benefits of eating foods with high nutritional value, it’s not easy to practice daily. Indian Nutrition Week is celebrated every year from September 1st to September 7th to raise awareness about healthy eating habits and nutrition. As parents, it’s vital that you set an example for your kids to teach them the importance of eating healthy food. Kids generally love to indulge in less nutritious foods like chocolates, burgers, fries, ice cream, and pizzas. It’s okay to have these unhealthy foods once in a while, but the problem arises when it becomes a regular affair. So, how do you prevent your kids from consuming unhealthy food? Here are ten tips and tricks that you can follow to boost your kids’ intake of a healthy diet and teach them the importance of nutrition:
Include Veggies
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We can’t stress enough that you should incorporate veggies into your daily diet. A well-balanced meal includes enough vegetables that are excellent sources of protein, iron, magnesium, and fiber. Plus, your plate looks colorful and bright, increasing the visual appeal for your kids. Teach your kids to “eat the rainbow”, which means they get veggies of different colors and might even be excited about it.
Mix It Up
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Just like you love variety, your kids appreciate some variety too. Avoid serving your kids the same kinds of food every day and mix it up. Introduce them to different cuisines and widen their food choices. When kids are hungry, they will eat what you give them (most of the time). Therefore, offer them healthy options like fruits, sprouts, steamed veggies, healthy sandwiches, and others instead of resorting to unhealthy food.
Move On From Meat
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All you non-veg lovers, yes, non-vegetarian food is yummy, and there’s no doubt about that. But give your kids more than just meat. Include beans, legumes, dairy, nuts, and whole grains in their diet. Meat is not the only source of protein, and there are tons of other ways your kids can get their dose of protein.
Say No To Processed Foods
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Nothing screams unhealthy like processed foods do. Your children might fuss, throw tantrums, and demand for unhealthy processed foods but say no to them. Explain to them how it’s incredibly harmful for health and opt for better quality food. Avoid foods with processed sugars; instead, opt for natural sugars. You can choose honey, jaggery, and maple syrup instead of artificial sugar.
Carbs Are Your Friends
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Your diet is not the same as your kids’. Your kids need carbs because they are in their developmental phase. Therefore, if you are someone who avoids carbs for health reasons, do not deprive your kids of them. Include complex carbs in their daily diet. Also, make potatoes, whole-grain bread, pasta, peas, fruit, and beans a regular part of their diet.
Let Your Kids Choose
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Giving your kids the opportunity to pick their food gives them a sense of control. It makes them believe that they have a choice in what they eat, which establishes a healthy eating habit. Therefore, take your kids with you when you go grocery shopping. Choose two or three nutritious options and tell your children to pick from them. You are limiting their options but still giving them a choice (clever, huh?).
Ditch The Diet
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You might be following a strict diet that includes no carbs or sugars, but your kids absolutely do not have to restrict themselves from any kind of food. Allow your kids to eat whatever they want but in controlled portions. Focus on feeding your kids quality food with high nutritional value rather than putting them on a diet (unless certain health conditions demand it).
Don’t Fear Fat
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Fats are not entirely bad for you. Several natural foods have healthy fats that are necessary for your good health. Processed food like hamburgers, pizzas, cheese, bacon contains high amounts of unhealthy fats. So, opt for foods rich in healthy fats like nuts, avocados, and nut butters.
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Make it a point to eat at least one meal together as a family. Breakfast and lunch might not be possible but try to have dinner together. Sharing a meal as a family helps increase your bonding time and gives you quality time with each other.
Eat For The Environment
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Teaching your kids the importance of being environmentally conscious from a young age goes a long way. Educate them about minimal living and eating. Tell them about the beauty of growing their own food and encourage them to practice it. You could even get them a beginners gardening kit if you want to encourage their green thumbs. They may indulge in a more sustainable lifestyle that benefits not only them but the environment too!
Eating healthy is tricky, especially because there are so many unhealthy food options that are easily accessible. However, by instilling the value of healthy eating in your kids, you might help them understand and respect the value of high-quality, nutritious food. Were the tips we listed above helpful to you? Share them with fellow parents to help them too.
