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Getting Your Kids Excited About Healthy Eating (without Too Many Tears)
Cherrywood Dental • Nov 21, 2017
The holiday season is full of many sweet moments, but it’s important to remember the sugary sweet treats your kids consume during the holidays can lead to entering 2018 with cavities. We’re not saying you have to eliminate them completely; for many kids, sugary treats can feel like the reason for the season.
So how do you navigate the road of moderation for your family without temper tantrums every time your child spots a Christmas cookie?
The secret to mastering this skill is to have patience and the right approach, and we’re going to show you how.
Kids Can Change Their Eating Attitudes – Even Toward Vegetables
A healthy diet is a key component in building your child’s development . The problem with getting your kids on a healthy diet is, many of the nutrients your child needs to thrive are hidden in those “yucky” vegetables that get shoved off the plate during meal times.
What’s the big secret in getting kids to eat a healthy and balanced diet?
Studies have shown that exposing your children to try a small amount of a vegetable each day can lead to big changes in their attitude towards that specific food. Even as little as 1-2 bites can make a big difference in how your child views that food!
Working Toward Happy Children with Healthy Diets
If your child is still challenging you on eating certain vegetables, try one of these tips:
- Make food more fun – Turn your child’s plate into a piece of artwork full of colors and shapes that visually appeal to them.
- Think on their level – Children typically prefer flavors to remain separate on a plate, so make small piles of sliced or steamed vegetables that were prepared separately. Let them explore each flavor one by one.
- Use flavor enhancers – Adding flavors your child likes to plain vegetables makes them tastier and more likely to become a hit. Try cooking their vegetables in butter or garlic, or add in some cheese or bacon for fun flavor additions.
- Provide rewards – Offer a simple sticker or stamp on their hand as a reward for positive food experiences and avoid sugary treats as a reward system.
- Don’t preach all or nothing – It’s all about exposure and introducing vegetables in new, fun ways to create positive experiences. Forcing kids to finish a plate can lead to negative experiences and can intensify picky eating.
- Trying at least one bite – Sometimes a bite is just as big of an accomplishment as eating an entire plate. Research shows children who initially rejected a food change their mind after 8-10 tries, so keep consistent and offer the same foods often so your child can get comfortable.
- Be persistent – Don’t give up on a food if your child rejects it initially. If you’re consistent, habits will eventually change.
Moving Away From Sweets as Rewards
Move away from offering rewards such as a tasty dessert for finishing a meal, and aim for experiences instead of edibles as a treat. This advice is by no means exclusive to children – adults are just as guilty of using sweet treats as rewards for themselves too.
Showing your child you’re invested in your own healthy eating is the first step in leading by example. Your eating patterns impact your children, so make a healthy lifestyle a family affair.
Want more information? Cherrywood Dental Associates is dedicated to helping your family create healthy eating habits!