Getting children to eat a healthy diet can be difficult if their taste buds gravitate toward foods such as pizza, chicken nuggets and french fries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, childhood obesity has tripled since 1980. Obesity increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, joint problems and many other diseases. It is important for children to learn to choose healthy foods and achieve a healthy weight that will last a lifetime.
Step 1
Prepare healthy meals together, allowing your child to assist in the preparation process. Children are more likely to want to eat healthy foods if they play a role in planning, cooking and serving the meal, explains PBS Parents.
Step 2
Stock your kitchen with healthy snacks for the child and eliminate high-calorie, high-sugar and high-fat prepackaged snacks. Buy fresh fruit and keep it readily available for snacks. Make sure it's washed and cut if needed so the child doesn't need any assistance at snack time. Other healthy snacks include vegetables and low-fat dips, whole grain crackers and cheese, and homemade frozen yogurt popsicles.
Step 3
Set a good example by making healthy food choices yourself. Children often mimic what they see parents and other adults doing in their lives. If you eat fast food and unhealthy snacks, the child will want to do the same thing.
Step 4
Disguise vegetables by adding them to dishes in pureed form. Almost any type of vegetable can be pureed and added to spaghetti or pizza sauce. Mashed cauliflower can be mixed with potatoes for a twist on traditional mashed potatoes. Fruits can also be turned into smoothies, allowing kids to drink their fruits with low-fat yogurt for extra calcium.
Step 5
Visit a local farm to teach children about where food comes from and how it's grown. If possible, pick some fruit or vegetables with your child. PBS Parents notes that giving kids the chance to see the source of their food can help create an appreciation for that food.
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