Sorry about being gone for 2 weeks. One week was spring break and the next week I just forgot. I know you all missed me. :)
One of the questions I get asked a lot is getting your kids to eat healthy. Or somewhat healthy. I’m not that great at it, but I guess people assume since we try to live naturally, we eat only green leafy vegetables. I do try to make sure they eat well but we also have the fun stuff. I think if I can find a little balance while instilling some good habits then we’re doing okay. I’ll give a few suggestions and then maybe you guys can share what works for you in the comments.
Generally, we try to have something green on our plate at every evening meal. Broccoli, asparagus, green beans, salad. You really can’t beat something green. The other colored vegetables are good, but many of them are high is starches/carbs and our kids get plenty of that stuff. I try to fix something for their plate that I know they LOVE (usually the starch – potatoes, rice, pasta) so the meal isn’t a total disappointment. They can have as much of that as they want as long as they eat a portion we expect for their protein and vegetable. They stay at the table until they are done.
We almost always drink water for dinner. They complained at first, but now many of them ask for water over any other drink (including the 3 year old). They LOVE dessert and we try to have that right after dinner so they aren’t asking for it RIGHT before it’s time for bed.
For snacks I try to be proactive. They usually want what I have, so if I can be eating something healthy before they come home from school or wake up from a nap, they just sit down and eat with me. Dark chocolate is a favorite around here, so I sometimes have chocolate covered strawberries for them. I make rainbow fruit skewers which is way more fun to eat than just a bowl of fruit. They like pistachios and cashews and raisins and craisins. They like when it’s in a little container or basket. They like it when it’s ‘in a fort’ or on the deck or on the playset or under a tree on a blanket. It’s just a matter of finding what they like and having it in the house and ready for them. If you wait until they ask for a snack, you will find yourself negotiating with a 3 year old (or a 5 year old or an 8 year old or a 12 year old).
Okay, this post is way too long already…I like short posts. Just a few more things. When they want something to drink(juice/lemonade), it is always water in between. We don’t have soda/pop that often, but the same rule applies. Sugar cereal is only for Saturday morning. They have sweet snacks, but a good snack has to come before it. What I usually say is they have to eat something ‘real’ every other snack. In other words, it grew that way. Now if I could just apply all those things to myself…..
So share your tips. We could all use a little help.
One of the questions I get asked a lot is getting your kids to eat healthy. Or somewhat healthy. I’m not that great at it, but I guess people assume since we try to live naturally, we eat only green leafy vegetables. I do try to make sure they eat well but we also have the fun stuff. I think if I can find a little balance while instilling some good habits then we’re doing okay. I’ll give a few suggestions and then maybe you guys can share what works for you in the comments.
Generally, we try to have something green on our plate at every evening meal. Broccoli, asparagus, green beans, salad. You really can’t beat something green. The other colored vegetables are good, but many of them are high is starches/carbs and our kids get plenty of that stuff. I try to fix something for their plate that I know they LOVE (usually the starch – potatoes, rice, pasta) so the meal isn’t a total disappointment. They can have as much of that as they want as long as they eat a portion we expect for their protein and vegetable. They stay at the table until they are done.
We almost always drink water for dinner. They complained at first, but now many of them ask for water over any other drink (including the 3 year old). They LOVE dessert and we try to have that right after dinner so they aren’t asking for it RIGHT before it’s time for bed.
For snacks I try to be proactive. They usually want what I have, so if I can be eating something healthy before they come home from school or wake up from a nap, they just sit down and eat with me. Dark chocolate is a favorite around here, so I sometimes have chocolate covered strawberries for them. I make rainbow fruit skewers which is way more fun to eat than just a bowl of fruit. They like pistachios and cashews and raisins and craisins. They like when it’s in a little container or basket. They like it when it’s ‘in a fort’ or on the deck or on the playset or under a tree on a blanket. It’s just a matter of finding what they like and having it in the house and ready for them. If you wait until they ask for a snack, you will find yourself negotiating with a 3 year old (or a 5 year old or an 8 year old or a 12 year old).
Okay, this post is way too long already…I like short posts. Just a few more things. When they want something to drink(juice/lemonade), it is always water in between. We don’t have soda/pop that often, but the same rule applies. Sugar cereal is only for Saturday morning. They have sweet snacks, but a good snack has to come before it. What I usually say is they have to eat something ‘real’ every other snack. In other words, it grew that way. Now if I could just apply all those things to myself…..
So share your tips. We could all use a little help.
~type to you thursday~
1 comment:
I like the idea of always giving them something on their plate that that really like for dinner! I guess eventually my 5 year is going to eat protein that he likes!! Lots of great tips--thank you!
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