Getting Kids to Eat Right

We all know it can be difficult to get kids to eat a healthy and balanced diet but it can be done, and it can even be fun! Here are some helpful tips to get your kids excited about eating good food.

Keep your fridge and pantry stocked with healthy food

• When your children are hungry, give them a choice of several healthy options and let them choose
• Add fruit to muffins and pancakes, and vegetables to mac ‘n’ cheese
• Try preparing vegetables in different ways to see if your kids prefer one method over another. You can serve them raw, steamed with a bit of lemon juice or sautéed. Get creative!

Get your kids involved in meal preparation

• Talk about what they’d like to have for dinner during the week and shop for ingredients together. When you’re in the supermarket aisles, teach your child how to read labels on foods. Compare the ingredient list on processed cheese slices to the list on natural cheese, for example.
• Kids love to get involved in the kitchen. Find tasks that they can do; measure ingredients, read the recipe aloud.
• Let your teenager know about the long-term benefits of healthy eating—clearer skin, more energy, no need to diet, save money by preparing your own healthy foods instead of relying on fast food or packaged items.

Make sure your kids have healthy lunches and snacks at school

• Keep your kids energized for the long day at school by providing them with a lunch that’s high in protein, fibre and complex carbohydrates, and low in sugar, salt and fat. Good snacks are also important; cheese and crackers, yogurt, fruit, trail mix are all good choices.

Go local

• Visit the farmers’ markets in your community with your children, encourage them to ask questions about the produce and get them to pick out something new to try at home.