Our kids may get older, but the desire to spend time with them never really goes away. Use these tips to make your family mealtime an enriching experience.
-Practice what you preach, and eat healthy so that your kids have a good example to follow. -Don't let your kids whine their way out of eating healthy. If you stand firm, they will get used to it. -If you let your kids help cook and shop for groceries, they are more likely to eat healthy if they chose the food.
If you follow the tips given here, you'll learn to make healthy food choices part of your family's routine. It's not always easy to do, because kids and parents are busy these days, and it just seems easier to get take-out.. Here are some ways to employ the strategies we just went over.
Family meals can be a comforting tradition for the whole family. Kids thrive on the predictability of knowing that the whole family is going to sit down and eat, and it gives parents a chance to catch up with their kids. Studies have found that kids who regularly sit down with their parents to eat are:
-more likely to eat healthy foods like veggies, fruits, and grains- and less likely to snack on "junk food" -much less likely to use illegal drugs or alcohol
When kids eat with their parents, they are more likely to try new foods, and their parents are modeling healthy choices. Teens, however, are independent by nature and they probably will be less than enthusiastic about a family dinner.As they age, they still need to rely on Mom and Dad for advice, discipline, and love. Family meals are a fine opportunity to get up to speed with what's going on in everyone's life. Try these tips:
-Invite your teen's friends over for a cookout. -Give them a say in what your family buys, cooks, and eats.
If your kids have sports or band practice, you might have to have a late dinner, or maybe you could go out for pizza once a week.
-Practice what you preach, and eat healthy so that your kids have a good example to follow. -Don't let your kids whine their way out of eating healthy. If you stand firm, they will get used to it. -If you let your kids help cook and shop for groceries, they are more likely to eat healthy if they chose the food.
If you follow the tips given here, you'll learn to make healthy food choices part of your family's routine. It's not always easy to do, because kids and parents are busy these days, and it just seems easier to get take-out.. Here are some ways to employ the strategies we just went over.
Family meals can be a comforting tradition for the whole family. Kids thrive on the predictability of knowing that the whole family is going to sit down and eat, and it gives parents a chance to catch up with their kids. Studies have found that kids who regularly sit down with their parents to eat are:
-more likely to eat healthy foods like veggies, fruits, and grains- and less likely to snack on "junk food" -much less likely to use illegal drugs or alcohol
When kids eat with their parents, they are more likely to try new foods, and their parents are modeling healthy choices. Teens, however, are independent by nature and they probably will be less than enthusiastic about a family dinner.As they age, they still need to rely on Mom and Dad for advice, discipline, and love. Family meals are a fine opportunity to get up to speed with what's going on in everyone's life. Try these tips:
-Invite your teen's friends over for a cookout. -Give them a say in what your family buys, cooks, and eats.
If your kids have sports or band practice, you might have to have a late dinner, or maybe you could go out for pizza once a week.
About the Author:
Need some more healthy eating tips for kids? Visit our website to find out!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment