Teach your kids healthy eating habits:
1. Get your kids involved:
If you involve your kids in the planning of meals, shopping for the groceries, and preparing the food, they will become invested in the process and more likely to eat what is put in front of them.
2. Educate your kids & teach healthy eating habits early: Teach kids where their food comes from. Take them to a local farmer's market so they can meet the people who grow their food. Visit a dairy farm, take them out to pick fresh berries, or even have them help p
lant tomatoes and melons in a garden, this may tempt a child to try the fruits of their labor.
3. Have healthy snacks available: If you stock the kitchen exclusively with healthy treats, children will eat them. Also make sure you have healthy snacks for when you are on the run with your kids.
Good choices include sliced apples, carrot sticks, whole grain crackers, light popcorn, raisins and water bottles. Teach your kids that a snack is healthy, a treat is for a special occasion. Kids like choices at snack time too, so consider packing an insulated lunch bag full of good snacks so they can make their own smart choices (and you can avoid hearing "I don't want THAT!").
4. Drinking their servings:
Remember that your child doesn't have to just eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day they can also drink them. Smoothies and mixed fruit drinks
can be a fun way to introduce new fruits, just look for one with no added sugars!
5. Be a role model: Remember children learn by example and they typically want what is on your plate; l
etting your child see you eat a fresh salad rather a burger and fries may encourage them to do the same.
6. Don't give up:
Studies show that most children need multiple exposures (between 5 and 10) to try new foods. This doesn't mean that showing your child the same broccoli or cantaloupe five nights in a row will win them over, but rather to suggest that you shouldn't give up the first time they reject something.
Keeping your kids active this summer:
1. Turn off the electronics: Limit the amount of time your child is able to us electronics and when they are allowed to use them, chose educational options.
2. Instruct by showing, not telling: Focus on showing your child how to do what you want them to do and they will be mirroring your actions in no time!
3. Make a play date with friends: When your child has a buddy to play with, it makes being active easier and more fun!
4. Focus on physical:
Sign your child up for local recreational or sports programs. Churches, community centers and schools usually host events throughout the summer. Let your child choose what interests them.
5. Take a field trip every now and then: Visit a local playground, splash pad, beach, zoo, science museum, bounce adventure park, etc. This will get them walking, running, learning, interacting and all in all, just having a great time!
6. Keep the focus on FUN: Go for a family bike ride, for a walk, play frisbee, mini-golf, fly a kite, go bowling, etc.
You can even make cleaning the house and running errands fun for kids, just figure out how to turn it into a game!
