The notion of a healthy diet is something that many children mightily reject. Most parents, though, do not share that viewpoint and instead want to instill good eating habits. This clash of opinions often leads to conflicts and ends in a stalemate. Fortunately, problems like this can be overcome. Convincing a child to adopt a positive attitude to the food and drink they're served can be done in a reasonably palatable way.
Step 1
Serve meals full of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables such as carrots have a pleasantly sweet taste that most children like. Use more whole-grain bread in sandwiches and toast. Far more fiber is present in whole-grains than standard white bread, which is practically destitute of any roughage whatsoever.
Step 2
Make sugary desserts and snacks an occasional treat rather than a regular part of the diet. Foods full of refined sugar have been strongly linked to obesity and the onset and worsening of existing diabetes in many children. Parties and holidays are acceptable times to be indulgent.
Step 3
Replace soda pops with healthy alternatives, such as natural fruit juices and reduced-fat milk. The synthetic sodium content of these raises blood-pressure levels when drunk repeatedly. "Too much sodium is bad for your health," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. "It can increase your blood pressure and your risk for a heart attack and stroke."
Step 4
Give your child a daily multivitamin. Talk to your pediatrician about the best multivitamin for your child and always follow directions on the label. Drugstores have a decent selection of multivitamin supplements for children. Most contain the 12 major vitamins, along with several key minerals. Practically all of these are sold as fruit-flavored chewable tablets, which children don't mind taking.
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