| So, you are ready to make some changes in your | | | | free color chart to help you with this. |
| family's diet. You've heard and read enough to know | | | | Consider setting up a two-bite rule and the food has |
| that eating Real Food is important to your family's | | | | to make it down to the tummy. Explain that their |
| health and happiness. You know what your kids eat | | | | taste buds may need to adapt to the new flavors. It |
| when they are young not only affects their health | | | | takes many, many times of eating the same food |
| now, but also in the future. You are feeling good | | | | for some children to accept the taste. |
| about your decision. Your intuition is supporting you. | | | | Read Eat Healthy, Feel Great, by Dr. William Sears. |
| The science is behind you. Unfortunately, your kids | | | | Talk about the differences between the nourishing |
| are not on the same page. | | | | food at home and the party food that is available at |
| They are complaining about the fresh fruit. They | | | | parties. Discuss how eating 'party' foods all the time |
| practically 'throw-up' seeing anything green on their | | | | will make their bodies break down eventually. |
| plates, and they're secretly calling Grandma to tell her | | | | Relate their performance at school and in sports and |
| about this unfair abuse. Don't despair. It's temporary. | | | | hobbies to the foods they eat. They will think better |
| It might be intense, but it's almost always temporary. | | | | and focus longer when their brains are nourished. |
| Stick to your goal of creating a healthier and happier | | | | They will run faster and jump higher when their |
| family, and stay connected with other moms who | | | | muscles get the food they need. Be on the lookout |
| are doing the same thing. | | | | for older role models to point out to your kids - ones |
| The following ideas help hundreds of moms get | | | | that do take care of themselves physically. |
| through the bumps of changing their children's diets. | | | | Talk with your pre-teen and teenager about how |
| The more you do to educate and involve them, no | | | | food affects his or her appearance and mood. Make |
| matter what their ages, the greater the chances | | | | a plan to go on a sugar-fast together for two weeks |
| your journey will be a little smoother. | | | | and see what changes you each experience. Talk |
| Educate your children, without making a really big deal | | | | about it each day to see if they are experiencing |
| about the changes. Talk about how, just like a car | | | | detox symptoms and cravings so you can help them |
| needing good gas, our bodies run the best when | | | | understand their bodies are trying to get healthier |
| they have the nutrients they need. A car would | | | | and the cravings are because they are hooked on |
| break down if you put something besides fuel in the | | | | sugar. Once it is cleared, they will begin to feel better. |
| tank. The same with our bodies when we put too | | | | Monitor how much candy, pop, cookies, muffins and |
| many anti-nutrients in. | | | | other non-nutrient foods your children are being |
| Borrow some books from the library that have great | | | | offered at school, church, friends' homes, etc. It is |
| charts, illustrations and pictures about the body's | | | | your right and responsibility to say something if you |
| amazing parts. Talk with your children about how | | | | prefer your child not to have those foods. |
| they can keep their body working the way it is | | | | If your children are resistant, try to breathe and do |
| supposed to if they give it the right fuel. | | | | your best. The moment we give in to demands for |
| Have them help pack lunches and snacks, and help | | | | something else to eat or for sugar, they know we |
| cook. It takes longer, but if you have the time, it's | | | | are not so serious about making changes. Be |
| really worth it. Talk about the colors and textures of | | | | consistent, just like with all other parenting decisions, |
| the food. The phytonutrients, found in those deep | | | | and your kids will take you seriously and know that |
| bright colors, are nutrients that will help strengthen | | | | you truly value their health and happiness. |
| your child's immune system. You can download our | | | | |