With the overweight and obesity epidemics at all-time highs, it is more important than ever to teach your child healthy eating habits. Encouraging your kids to eat and enjoy a healthy diet now can save them years of struggling with their eating habits and weight as they get older. Stress the importance of eating healthily in order to prevent diseases, such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Children can be picky eaters and may prefer salty or sweet foods to more nutritious fare, but with some time and effort, you can teach them to eat well for life.
Step 1
Model healthy eating. Show your children that you enjoy eating healthy foods and that you can say no to large amounts of unhealthy foods. Eat a variety of foods, and choose them over fatty or salty snacks.
Step 2
Eat meals together with your children. KidsHealth states that kids who regularly participate in family meals are more likely to choose healthy foods and to avoid unhealthy foods and behaviors. Avoid using family dinner as a time to lecture your child about his eating habits, though. Offer him healthy foods, but do not turn mealtime into a food battleground.
Step 3
Let the kids take part in preparing healthy foods. Let them choose which types of fruit they want from the grocery store or farmers' market. Allow them to help stir the sauce or cut up vegetables. As your children get older, encourage them to plan and cook as much of a meal as they are able to. Allow them to help pack their lunches for school.
Step 4
Take your children to see where their food comes from. Take them to a farm to milk cows, collect eggs or pick fruit. Plant a garden and send the children out to fill a bowl with ripe berries or tomatoes.
Step 5
Hang a copy of the food pyramid in your kitchen. Encourage your children to check the pyramid and to think about what they have already had to eat before choosing snacks. Stock the cabinets and refrigerator with healthy whole grains, dairy products, fruits and vegetables for them to choose from.
Tips and Warnings
- If at first your child refuses to eat a certain food, expose her to it several times over the course of several weeks. She may decide to try it after seeing it and becoming familiar with its appearance and texture over time. If you have concerns about your child's nutritional habits or weight, talk to your pediatrician for advice.
Things You'll Need
- Food pyramid poster
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