Kids can be picky, but feeding kids a healthy diet is critical to start them on the road to lifelong good eating habits. Junk foods, fast food and sugary drinks all lead to health risks and obesity, but many kids simply don’t want to eat what they should. What constitutes healthy diets for kids and where can you improve your child’s diet? Learn how to make simple changes that can make a big difference without causing battles at the dinner table.
Try New Foods
Encourage new foods. Let your children pick out new fruits and veggies when you are shopping. A visit to the farmer’s market is a great idea. Try different recipes and flavors, and combine familiar flavors with unfamiliar foods. If they can pick the produce, they may be more apt to willingly eat it and a varied diet is a healthy diet. Explore not only new fruits and vegetables, but also new types of cuisine with your children.
Combine Colors
Combine colors on a plate to create a healthy diet. Encourage kids to eat orange, green, red and yellow vegetables and fruits. Take advantage of a good selection at the market to offer interesting color variations, including purple potatoes, yellow tomatoes and more. Encourage kids to make colorful food choices. White foods are generally nutritionally poor, while orange, brown and green ones are quite healthy.
Portions
Help your children visualize healthy portions. A serving of meat is approximately the size of a deck of cards, while a serving of rice is about the size of an adult fist. Encourage large helpings of greens, raw veggies and other good food choices. Keep servings of ice cream, potato chips and other treats small to teach moderation.
Set a Good Example
Allow your children to see you eat a wide variety of foods. Be open to trying new tastes and textures. Eating a healthy diet yourself is one of the best ways to encourage a healthy diet for kids. Keep a variety of healthy foods available in your home at all times and limit the amount of fatty, fried and sugary foods in the kitchen.
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