The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 19 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 11 are considered obese. In a society that encourages video games over outdoor activity and processed treats over whole foods, it's no wonder that so many children don't know how to eat healthily. Teaching your child to eat nutritionally dense foods is a life lesson that will stay with him, and can shape his relationship with food for the rest of his life.
Healthy Options
Filling your cupboards with healthy foods and banning the junk food and processed treats is a no-brainer, but your child may resist at first. Ensuring that you have healthy choices in your home can entice her to try new foods and eat in a more nutritionally correct way, notes KidsHealth.org, a division of the Nemours Foundation. Complete a "food audit" of your cupboards and stop purchasing processed foods at the store so your child has a healthy array of foods to choose from.
Try Again
Give your child new and healthier foods in the right way. Serve them before you serve an old favorite, and make sure there's at least one fruit or vegetable with every meal. The U.S. Department of Agriculture notes that it can take up to 10 times of testing a new food before your child acquires a taste for the food, so don't be discouraged if your spinach smoothie doesn't please right away. Keep trying until your child learns to love them.
Ask for Help
Invite your child into the kitchen by asking for his help while you cook. When your child sees the foods and learns more about the ingredients, he may be more apt to try new and healthier fare. Talk about the ingredients while you add them, and talk about how they can benefit your child. For instance, as you add carrots to a stir-fry, talk about how they are good for your child's eyes.
Respect the Appetite
Remember to take into consideration the size of your child's appetite. Some children naturally eat less, or prefer several snacks throughout the day over one big meal. Respect your child's appetite, urges MayoClinic.com, and use it to your advantage. If your child prefers several snacks throughout the day, offer healthy alternatives with protein and fiber to help keep her full. Pita chips and hummus, fruit, vegetables and dip and cheese are all good choices.
Be an Example
Be a good example to your children and your family on eating nutritionally balanced meals, says FamilyDoctor.org, a website maintained by the American Academy of Family Physicians. If you constantly tell your child to eat healthy foods while you nosh on fried and fatty foods, the advice will go unheard. Make a commitment to eat more nutritionally and your whole family will follow suit.
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