It’s summer again and you know what that means, school’s out! With the kids around more, your grocery bill is probably going to plump up a bit, but that doesn’t mean your kids have to. So how can you get the most ‘health for your buck’ while giving them foods they’ll like? Check out these tips on healthy eating for children as well as suggestions for helping your kids get on board.
Grains- Brown Rice
Make sure you’re buying whole-grain foods such as wheat bread. These are the ‘premium fuels’ for active kids. An easy way to add whole grains to your picky eater’s diets is to use brown rice instead of white. It is far more nutritious and your kids won’t even notice the difference! Other good ideas are whole-grain crackers and oatmeal.
Vegetables- Smiley Face Salad
This is a hard one I know! This is even hard for me and I’m an adult! Which brings up my next point, Kidshealth.org says parents need to be the example. Eat a variety of vegetables to get high levels of vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and more. Head over to this fun blog called Mommy Poppins and read the post “Five Food Hacks: Getting kids to eat vegetables and love it.” These five tips are the best I’ve ever heard.
Fruit- Bananas
Fruit is low in fat yet delicious and they are packed with vitamins that will keep your kids healthy this summer. Replace sugary, processed snacks with fresh fruit in between meals. Try replacing desert with fruit. One fun idea is to let the kids pick a new fruit they haven’t tried at the grocery store each week.
Meats/Protein- Almonds
Growing kids need protein, so buy lean meats and limit red meat. Chicken and fish are healthier source of protein but still provide all the nutrients to keep your kid’s bodies growing. Other alternatives that still pack a protein punch are nuts and beans. Help your children eat healthier in between meals by snacking on their favorite nut.
Dairy- Low-Fat Fruit Yogurt
Do your best to buy low fat options of milk, yogurt, and other dairy products. We all know that dairy has calcium which helps build strong bones. Regular doses of calcium are crucial to healthy physical development in children of all ages. Avoid high fructose drinks and serve milk instead.
Get your kids involved in healthy eating habits by helping them plan meals and shop for ingredients. Teach them to read labels and know what to look for. Make this summer a great one by eating better.
Do anyone of you trick your kids into eating healthy or am I the only one who deceives their child?! They’ll thank me when they don’t have a heart attack at 40 and a broken hip at 50! If you have some tips or tricks, let us know!
