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Getting kids to eat healthier is, to say the least, challenging - especially when highly-visible children-friendly cartoon characters (representing fast foods and sugary treats) adorn cereal boxes, billboards, TV screens, etc.. Although the transition from burgers to sushi will not happen immediately, better nutrition for children is always doable when determined parents (skilled in psychology and craftiness) take the initiative. The following is a compilation of 18 suggestions for improving nutrition in young, fussy eaters:
- Add oranges, nuts, cheese, meats to salads.
- Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes of veggies.
- Pre-cut fruit and have it in the refrigerator.
- Make homemade Popsicles with fruit juice.
- Make smoothies with yogurt, fruit juice and ice.
- Serve fruit kabobs as meal items or snacks.
- Mix beans into spaghetti, casseroles, or meat dishes.
- Chop up squash, tomatoes, and corn into burritos.
- Mix in a little spinach into a salad.
- Take the kids to the farmer's market and let them taste samples.
- Buy what they like at the farmer's market.
- Don't stick to "kids foods". Some kids love guacamole, salsa, Caesar's salads, etc.
- Dine out at ethnic restaurants where main dishes include veggies, legumes, fruit, etc.
- Fix healthy foods the way kids like them (frozen peas still frozen, overly cooked carrots, etc.).
- Bring healthy foods on picnics. Carefully, dress up the usual items (a little sugar on the fruit, a little peanut butter on the veggie sticks, etc.).
- For girls: Remind them that fruit, veggies, and protein foods are necessary for hair and fingernail growth.
- For boys: Remind them that veggies and fruit are a necessary part of building muscles and growth.
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