Getting kids to eat a healthy meal can be challenging to say the least, especially in a world inundated with fast food chains on every corner. It doesn’t have to be a struggle though if you know how to hide the healthy items in deliciousness without defeating all of the health benefits of eating healthy items.
Camouflage
If it taste good and kids don’t know something that they hate is in the dish, they will eat it without any argument. Try grating carrots, cabbage, or Brussel Sprouts into tomato based sauces such as spaghetti sauce and lasagna sauces. The tomato sauce will cover any unpleasant flavors as well as bring out the sweetness in typically bitter items like Brussel Sprouts.
Be Creative
Serve items such as zucchini bread or banana bread for dessert instead of more heavily sugar laden choices like cakes, brownies, and ice cream; kids will scarf down these healthy vegetables without knowing they are eating something good for them.
Think Smoothies
Kids love milkshakes, so why not swap them out for the healthier version and serve smoothies for snacks and on the go breakfasts. All it takes to make a quick and healthy filling treat for the road is a quality blender, a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, some plain yogurt, a few ice cubes, and to go cups.
Keep it Simple
There is no need to over complicate menu items when trying to get your children to eat a more healthy diet, especially for smaller children. Although it is good to introduce your kids to a more varied pallet of cuisine, it is also important to remember kids just want something simple that tastes good.
So keep the majority of meals simple and straight forward; a nice roast with vegetables from the crockpot is just as enticing as that chicken croquet you were thinking of making, if not more so. Not only will you be creating a meal your kids will eat without a lot of fuss, you will also free up some of your valuable time to actually spend with them.
Make the Swap
By nature kids are programmed to want to eat more natural food items such as fruit. It isn’t until they are supplied with junk foods that their natural instincts are overridden with fatty and sugary food cravings. Swap out store bought snacks like chips and cookies with healthier options when filling your cupboards. Keep a varied selection of fresh fruits, carrot sticks, celery sticks, nuts, and cheese sticks on hand for fast and easy snacks that kids can get themselves when they get home from school or when then just want a snack.
It is difficult to monitor what your kids are eating all day long when they are not in your presence and have so many unhealthy food options at every turn. However, if you make sure to provide plenty of easy to get, healthy snack and meal options at home, it will help your children maintain the healthy life style that you want for them
