Teach Your Children (to Eat) Well

Posted by C.L. R.

I saw a quote the other day from an actor that said something like, You never want your child to be the one at the birthday party with the bag of carrots. This made me laugh out loud because I knew exactly what he was talking about. There is always that poor outcast whose parents force healthy eating upon. Although healthy eating is the right choice, a kid is surrounded by so much peer pressure that sometimes, choosing mid-road options are the way to keep them from going to the dark side (ie. stealing the kid's lunch who has a Jiffy peanut butter and marshmallow fluff sandwich). Some basic things - set limits. Forbidding a kid to drink a soda ever is asking for trouble. Consider purchasing one can per week, stocking the fridge and letting the kid know in no uncertain terms that they only have that one soda to last the entire week. Same with junk food. Let a kid pick out an unhealthy snack that appeals to them (their best friend eats it, etc) but buy one bag for the week. When it's gone, it's gone. This teaches a kid that junk food shouldn't be eaten like food or in place of food. For sugar cereals, consider mixing a half cup of healthy cereal and a half cup of fruity sugar crystals or whatever. What are some additional tips you've found effective? Post 'em up and let's get healthy!