Lifestyle / How To Get Your Kids To Eat Vegetables

How To Get Your Kids To Eat Vegetables

Lifestyle Jun 20, 2016

by Yvonne Sinniah

So your kids panic at the sight of palaak? Here are our tips on how to get them to eat those veggies.

Are your kids eating healthy? Do they run away from their vegetables and avoid natural, well-balanced home-cooked meals? As a mom of two young children, my goal was to have my children loving and eating vegetables without thinking twice. I wanted veggies to be the obvious, natural choice for them and, so far, that initial vision has come to fruition with my eight-year-old and 10-year-old. So I wanted to share with you some proven ways to get your kids to eat healthy and inspire them to reach for those vegetables and balance their home-cooked rice and curry with some dhall, saag and aloo gobi.

A good reason to inspire your children to eat healthy and be aware of their wellness is because South Asians have a higher prevalence of chronic diseases. The Canadian Diabetes Association’s 2013 Clinical Practice Guidelines state that people of South Asian descent are one of the populations at a higher risk to develop type 2 diabetes. The healthy eating habits of our children is key in helping prevent chronic diseases.

So how do you get your children to eat healthy?

1. Get your kids involved in preparing their meals.

Have fun with your children in the kitchen. Sure, it may get a little messy and the cooking time may slow down a notch but this experience is so valuable for both parent and child. Children love cutting vegetables. You can start with a butter knife and salad leaves and have them cut while you cook. Play some music in the background and create an experience in the kitchen so when the full meal is prepared, they feel they had a part in the whole production.

^{It's cooking time!

Photo Credit: www.polkacafe.com}

2. If they leave their vegetables, let them know they can eat them before they start their next meal or snack.

If your children do not finish a portion of vegetables or leave their fruits aside, let them know that if they get hungry again later for snack, they must finish their fruits and vegetables before diving into cheese sticks and crackers. This simple rule just reiterates that you're standing by the values of eating a balanced meal. I still find myself setting aside some vegetables that my children don’t finish from their school lunch and it becomes a part of their early evening snack before dinner.

3. Be a role model.

This is a biggie. Nothing is more impactful than your very own eating habits. If you're eating balanced meals, your children will naturally follow. In all realms of parenthood, children follow what you do as opposed to following what you say. Observe your own eating habits and change them accordingly so healthy eating and wellness habits are aligned throughout the household.

4. Give them variety so they can choose.

There is no need to force your children to eat every kind of vegetable. As your child grows just give him options so you get a feel for which vegetables he drifts towards. Each child is unique and I found that there are a number of foods both my children will eat and then a handful of favourites that are unique to each of them. Be flexible in accommodating your child’s palette.

5. Take them grocery shopping with you.

For a while I stayed away from taking my children grocery shopping. Every parent knows that this can be a wild and expensive experience if it is not managed well. Set a rule that your child can pick one thing for himself. Let your child know that you need help shopping and choosing what meals to make for the week. Have a grocery list with you but be flexible at the grocery store so your children are part of creating the meal plans for the week. This habit teaches children how their meals come together from picking spinach up from the grocery store or farmer’s market to ending up as palak paneer in their dinner plates.

^{Don't skip the green aisle!

Photo Credit: www.health.usnews.com}

As parents we are constantly looking to set our children up for success in all realms of their lives. The above strategies are ways to inspire your children to eat healthier for themselves as opposed to doing it just to please you. Creating positive experiences while taking the time to explain why a balanced meal is important will set the foundation for healthier eating habits.

Main Image Photo Credit: www.neatorama.com

Yvonne Sinniah

Author

Yvonne Sinniah (@YvonneSinniah) is a Relations Advisor and inspirational speaker focusing on helping individuals achieve success in personal and professional environments. focusing on helping individuals achieve success in personal and professional environments. She is on a mission to meet a nee...

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How To Get Your Kids To Eat Vegetables

by Yvonne Sinniah

So your kids panic at the sight of palaak? Here are our tips on how to get them to eat those veggies.

Yvonne Sinniah

COMMENTS

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