Eating healthy is a habit that starts from the time we’re small children. If you eat the junk food growing up, you’re more likely to continue the trend into adulthood.
That’s why it’s more important than ever to set a good example now for your kids. If you teach them to eat responsibly while they are young, they will be more likely to have a lifetime of good eating habits.
Easier said than done, right? But there are a few things you can change in your own routine that will help lead the way.
Change Your Snacks
Kids and snacks go hand in hand. Chances are you’ve tucked a few into your bag to keep them happy between meals, and you’ve probably set more than a plate or two of unhealthy snacks in front of them after a hard day at school. But those not-so-healthy snacks can leave them hungry, making them move into dinnertime hungrier than ever.
Skip the snacks that don’t fortify their bodies and go with nutrient dense food instead. Try veggies and hummus. Add in healthy fats like avocado. Nuts and edamame can be easy to pack and bring along anywhere. And a piece of fruit is always easy to bite into.
Add Variety To Your Meals
If you feed them mac n cheese, they’ll demand more. Try changing it up instead. A variety of foods early on will help them expand their palates and encourage them to give new foods a try. Presentation is everything. Try making a finger food party. Or use dipping sauces for veggies. Start a board over on Pinterest to save easy and inspiring recipes you want to try. And if your kids are old enough, let them create their own Pinboards. The more they are a part of the process, the easier it is to get them to try.
Take The Lead
We can all do a better job of eating healthy. If you make changes to the way you eat, they will notice. Don’t go for radical changes all at once. Instead, start by replacing one bad food habit at a time. If you’re prone to reach for unhealthy snacks before dinner, remove the unhealthy snacks from your home. Cut up veggies or have a bowl of fruit readily available. If you go out to dinner most nights of the week, plan just one dinner at home. Focus in on finding a recipe you’ll enjoy making for your family. Bring the family into the kitchen to help to spend a little time together. Very quickly, you’ll find you want to stay in more than you want to go out. Dinnertime will be your favorite time of the day.