| What parent doesn't want their kids to eat healthier? | | | | kids who don't get sick or fat or sick kids with |
| We've all had to bribe, cajole, threaten and | | | | learning disabilities who grow up to suffer |
| manipulate our children at least once, but wouldn't it | | | | degenerative diseases. |
| be nice if we didn't have to stoop to such heavy | | | | Stay away from people hell-bent on corrupting your |
| handed tactics? Here are some tips to help you out. | | | | children with candy and treats. It's amazing to me |
| Start early! Don't wait until it's too late and your | | | | how so many well-meaning people like a bank teller |
| child's already ruined by sweets and treats. Once | | | | or a relative offer my children lollipops or cookies. |
| they've tasted ice cream, it's harder to get them to | | | | Teach your children to smile and politely say, |
| eat broccoli. And if you've waited too long then you'll | | | | "No thank you." And if it's a relative that's always |
| just have to be strong and realize your kids might | | | | offering your child a treat, then ask them to stop or |
| not like you for a few days. | | | | stop visiting them (a third option is to make them |
| Make sure you have a good variety of healthy foods | | | | take care of your kid during his sugar buzz and |
| available to your children. This prevents them from | | | | subsequent crash - they'll never do it again). |
| latching on to one food or one food group. Sure | | | | Here's another free tip for kids and healthy eating |
| they'll still have their favorites, but a variety of | | | | that might fall into the harsh category, but if you |
| vegetables and fruits will help them to get used to all | | | | think about it seriously you'll see how important it is. |
| of their varied tastes. | | | | Don't let your kids watch commercial TV. Yes! You |
| Try combing foods they like with foods they don't. | | | | read this correctly. The majority of the ads on TV |
| For example, stir-frying onions with zucchini, broccoli, | | | | are about food and getting your children to eat |
| carrots, and snow peas isn't as bad as sitting down | | | | these unhealthy foods. TV commercials are the |
| to a whole plate of broccoli. It also helps to make | | | | nutritional education for 95% of the population and |
| sure the pieces are small enough so your child gets | | | | virtually nothing advertised on TV has any nutrition in |
| some carrots with her zucchini. | | | | it. You'll see a huge decrease in your child's food |
| Be strong! This is very important for teaching a child | | | | cravings when you turn off the tube. |
| to eat what's good for them. Tell them that this is | | | | And finally, the most important tip of all is for you to |
| what we're having for dinner and there's nothing else | | | | set a great example. How can you expect your |
| for them to eat. They'll get hungry enough to eat | | | | children to eat fish, vegetables and whole wheat |
| what's served them if there are no other options | | | | bread when you don't? How can you get them to |
| available. | | | | give up ice cream when you won't? They look to |
| Which reminds me. Don't bring any food in the house | | | | you as a role model so you might as well live like one |
| that isn't part of a healthy food plan. That's right! No | | | | because if you don't, then you have no right to |
| snacks, cookies, sweetened cereals, pastries, treats - | | | | complain about their poor eating habits, obesity, |
| whatever - are permitted. This might seem harsh, but | | | | ADHD and the time you have to take off work to |
| you have to decide who you're raising; healthy, smart | | | | care for a sick child. |