Three Simple Ways to Get Your Kids Excited About Healthy Foods

Three Simple Ways to Get Your Kids Excited About Healthy Foods

Easy Shifts to Encourage Healthy Eating Habits in Your Family

Ready to Get Your Kids Excited About Healthy Foods?

Have you ever thought, “Will it always be this hard to get my child to eat healthy?”

You know the scene: your kids are pushing vegetables around their plate, all while plotting to sneak their broccoli to the dog. It feels like you’re stuck in an endless loop of “just one bite” and eventually surrendering to the inevitable chips or yet another peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

In fact, 60% of parents report that their children don’t like healthy foods. And while nearly all parents agree that good eating habits are essential for lifelong health, only 1 in 6 feel like their child’s diet is healthy, according to a national poll on children’s health.

But here’s the thing… We know that nutrient-dense foods think fresh, vibrant fruits and veggies are so important for our children’s development. And on the flip side, processed, sugary foods have tons of negative effects.

Do you remember that eye-opening documentary Fed Up? It exposed some hard truths, like how 80% of the 600,000 food items in America have added sugar, and by 2050, one in three Americans will have diabetes.

Oof!

Now, you might be thinking, “Great! So, I will struggle with this until my kids are grown…”

Well, not necessarily. I’ve got some parenting advice that I’m going to share with you today, which can make healthy mealtimes a part of your day that you’re not dreading but instead looking forward to.

Not convinced? That’s fair. But keep reading.

Raise Healthy Eaters with These Three Simple Happy Parenting Strategies

Within the Happy Life System, there are 8 pillars. Each one is essential to helping your child be the master of their life. What do I mean by this? When your children are able to incorporate the practices and habits from these pillars, they are able to build a loving relationship with themselves and feel empowered to live their best life. (And, bonus, you’ll feel the perks of happy parenting along the way.)

One of these pillars is the Body Pillar. And an essential part of this pillar is nourishing your body with the right foods and beverages and asking questions like, “How well do I fuel my body?”

Today, I’m sharing a few simple yet powerful parenting tips to help get your kids excited about eating healthy.

Here are three ways to get your kids excited about eating healthy:

• **Reframe the Language **

The mind is a powerful tool. The amazing thing? You can change your perception of anything simply by the way you describe it.

My great parenting advice here? When it comes to healthy eating, your child’s mindset of “have to” can easily shift to “want to” with the right words.

So, instead of saying, “You need to eat this carrot. It’s good for you,” try something like, “Wow! You have the opportunity to supercharge your body with all the energy it needs. How? With this carrot! It’s packed with incredible superpowers that will help you feel energized and ready to play all day!”

See the difference? Suddenly, that carrot isn’t just a vegetable anymore!

• Make it a Game

Science has shown that children learn best through play. So why should the fun stop at the swing set?

Bring the playfulness into the kitchen** **by turning mealtime into a game.

Try playing “Chef for the Day” with your kids. Take them on a special trip to the grocery store, let them pick out three different colored vegetables, and then help them prepare a dish. This not only empowers them to take charge of their own healthy eating but also makes the process enjoyable.

• Seal it with Gratitude

If a life filled with gratitude is a happy one, then a body filled with gratitude is a healthy one!

Tell your child that food has feelings, and it’s listening. Encourage your child to say “thank you” to the food for fueling their body with the energy they need. Let them know that gratitude is the key to magical wealth to flow into your life.

When kids understand the value of what they’re eating not just because mom or dad says so, but because they’ve discovered it themselves it creates a new level of awareness. And before you know it, healthy eating becomes a habit.

There you have it by reframing your language, making mealtime fun, and infusing a bit of gratitude into your day, you’ll be laying the foundation for a lifetime of good habits. And who knows? You might just start looking forward to family meals as much as your kids do.

If you’re looking for more parenting advice to help you on your journey to happy parenting, I’m here for you! Continue to follow along on the blog and on social media for more positive parenting advice! You, my friend, have got this!