How can I get my children to eat healthier?

Question

My boys hate everything I make for their lunches at school. They have to be nut free. any suggestions?

they are 9 and 5, and complain about everything unless its McDonald's or Chinese food(they don't get often). They like milk and cereal, but they can't eat that three times a day.

Answer 1

Allow them to help plan the meals.
Adjust them to fit your standards.

For instance, if they want donuts, try whole wheat bagles with natural strawberry preserves. If they want chocolate milk, use Ovalteene. If they want cookies, there are some choices which are A LITTLE better, like low fat Nilla Wafers....or a couple other brands marketed for weight watchers, etc. If they want apple pie, offer homemade apple dumplings made with sweet apples and Splenda... or apple sauce with a little cinnamon sprinkled on top. Give them some control over their own diet and see what happens.

Answer 2

Negotiate. If they want a peice of Candy, than they need to eat a veggie. I have a spot in the fridge where put healthy choices. If they ask for something that is not healthy I tell them to chose a healthy choice first. Once your learn what healthy things they like you can start weeding out the bad stuff. Also, eat healthy food in front of them. You have to be a role model.

Tip: When making spaghetti, grate a carrot into the sauce, zuccini, etc. these are "hidden" veggtables and won't even know they are eating them :o) Good Luck!

Answer 3

DEAR some boys do not like nuts just be glad they eat like if you buy peanut better dear. make sure it is smooth instead of crunchy also do not put junk food in there lunches do not give money for snack machines at school tell the teachers principal no candy no chips cokes ar soda pop what ever you want to call it make them drink juice any kind they like milk if they like chocolate it is OK no chips but healthy ones mom just read the packages and set down ground rules you are parent and not them at all. You may have to be stricter then what you are and discipline them with grounding time out noses in the Conner put them on there knees set a timer but do not let them see it and you may have to spank as last rule let them know you are the boss not them

Answer 4

Try to mix in healthier ingredients gradually. Disguise them if you have to. Look for recipes that make the food they like; but in a healthier way, i.e bake food, which you fried before. If you try to make too many changes too quickly, your boys will rebel!!!!!!!!!!

There are so many items you can substitute, for instance sweetening desserts and baked goods with apple sauce or fruit juice instead of sugar. Graham Kerr has some great ideas on healthy cooking: http://www.grahamkerr.com/
He believes in developing flavors and cutting out unhealthy ingredients.

Check out: www.recipezaar.com
for ideas. They have thousands of well organised recipes.

Good luck.

Answer 5

The school has a responsibility to provide healthy food too. You should do the same as well as eat healty food when with them. Don't try selling them healthy food by saying "it's good for you". Just put it on the table in front of them and eat it.

Answer 6

make eating healthier fun. cut stuff into fun shapes and different sizes. use cookie cutters to cut lunch meat. let the kids help you do the cutting and packing. give them choices...ask if they want an apple or banana....fruit cup or jello....carrots or celery. you can make ants on a log (celery, peanut butter, and raisens/chocolate chips). tell them if they eat 2 healthy things they can have a small candy bar or cookie for desert. look up other crafty ideas in "family circle" or "parenting" magazines.

Answer 7

Find some healthy foods that they will eat. I bribe my kids to try things. I then combine the healthy foods they like. Also, if they start eating healthy foods offer them little things, extra tv time, less chores, half hour extra to stay up on weekends etc. It works great for my kids. You just have to think of thing they do like and bribe them to try new.

Answer 8

Get a Blender and make a smoothie using a lot of fruit, and then putting the veggies that they need in it. Not too much. The fruit will override the Vegetable taste that they will not even know that it is good for them.

Answer 9

Depending on there ages.... I would buy cookie cutters, you can make shapes for sandwiches, fruits, meats anything you want really..... cut the meat in the shape before you cook it up.... Young kids love to see a dinosaur or a rocket for boys and my neice loved when I cut her chicken up as flowers.... it's fun for the kids to help too... she is only 3... :) Have fun and good luck!

Answer 10

It could be that it is not the lunches at all. Depending on how old they are they may feel different around their peers and they may be being made fun of.