Ways To Promote Better Eating Habit For Kids -Part 1

If bad eating habits reign, they can be hard to change, especially when they have become comfortable routines. But by keeping unhealthy foods out of your home, and bringing healthy foods in, it's possible to promote better eating habits, even with the pickiest kids.

Whether you're trying to cajole your toddler to give peas a chance, or attempting to persuade your tween into drinking something other

continue after the cut...

than soda, these healthy eating tips might be work a try.

Do Not Ban Junk Food Outright

Once kids get their first taste of crunchy, sweet or salty foods, it's hard to get them unhooked. It is of great recommendation that parents limit the number of treats that kids are allowed to eat each day, rather than ban these foods completely. That way, kids won't be as tempted to want what they can't have.

Banning a specific food is also a bad idea because if the food becomes available to your child outside your home, he or she might eat it despite feeling full, and can thereby lead to a habit of overeating. Parents should also avoid restricting desserts or other treats as punishment for bad behavior, because this can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food.

Encourage Them to Eat Smart at School

Look over you child's school lunch options, go over each day;s meal choices with your child, and challenge him or her to identify the healthiest option. That way, your child will be aware of all the selections they have to choose from, and will gain experience in making nutritious food decisions.

As for snacks, rather than giving your kids money for the vending machines at school, make it clear to them that they can instead save their candy money and spend it on nonfood items. To encourage them to not blow their pocket change on sugary or salty treats, give them plenty of healthy snacks such as apples, to bring to school.

Avoid Buying Unhealthy Foods in Bulk

If you want to buy a treat, buy the smallest possible package of the good, instead of the economy bulk-sized packages. For example, buying a bulk pack of small, single-serving bags of cheesy popcorn is better than buying one massive, bulk-size bag of the popcorn.

And store any bulk-size snack foods out of kid's sight and reach, so that they will be less tempted to mindlessly graze on it throughout the day.

Warn Kids About Drinking Calories

While tweens and teenagers may be aware of which unhealthy foods are packed with calories, they may be oblivious to how many empty calories they consume daily from sugary drinks. Make them aware of how many empty calories are in their favorite unhealthy drinks, and advise them to choose a diet or zero-calorie version of a beverage if they can. 

To help kids develop a healthy liquid calorie habit from an early age, give your toddler plenty of water and plain milk to avoid getting them used to sugary juice or chocolate milk. If you do give them juice, give them 100 percent fruit juice and water it down, mixing equal parts water and juice.

Promote Fruits and Veggies at Dinner

When cooking dinner, always make sure to have one healthy item that your child likes and will eat. Cook a limited amount of the meal's starch dish, such as potatoes to encourage seconds. To further entice your picky eater to try a healthy, vegetable-rich dish, let them watch you prepare it and allow them to add in some ingredients themselves under your supervision.

watch out for more tips coming up soon...