how do i change a 10yr old to eat healthy? desperate?

Answer 1

This will probably be a lengthy process. Change is not generally made easily and you will be met with resistance to dietary changes, especially if he/she is not involved every step of the way. If this child is your child, your best success will be eating healthy yourself. Do not expect him/her to become a healthy eater if you are not one as well. If you make this a joint effort and let the child make decisions you will have a better transition. If at all possible, begin with a complete check-up with the child's doctor. The doctor will be an authority figure who can help explain the importance of eating healthy. Ask the doctor if you can have a referral to a dietician. A dietician is a great resource to make a meal plan for any type of change in your eating habits. It will be best to start with one goal at a time to work on. It is hard to change everything at once and will set you both up for failure and frustration. Remember that these poor eating habits were not developed overnight or in a week or in a month or even in a year, the child has had 10 years to develop his/her current way of eating and it will take patience, consistency, and encouragement to make changes. Pick one area of concern and make a plan to change. For example, your 10 year old does not eat any vegetables. Make it a goal for him/her to eat one vegetable every day. Try some different ones and experiment with preparation techniques. I have 4 children who all love veggies (even the green ones!). All of my kids liked to eat frozen vegetables as a snack. Peas and beans being their favorites. Stir fry vegetables in a little olive oil, steam them, eat them raw, or grill them to see which way your child will eat them. Involve the child in the purchasing, prepping, and cooking of the vegetables. Stay positive, don't nag, or make the child feel bad. Allow the child to have some of his/her not so healthy food choices as well, but limit the quantity. Buy pre-packaged or re-package snacks into serving sizes. Decide what is the biggest problem and focus on changing that first. Don't forbid the child anything or put him/her "on a diet". Once you have picked a goal, work on it until you feel it is becoming a habit, then move on to another goal. Let the child help pick the goals as well. At 10 years old, he/she is mature enough to have some control over his/her choices. If a particular goal turns out to be too hard or frustrating right now, that is OK, put the goal on the back burner and pick another one. Try to keep it as fun and educational as possible.

Answer 2

Do it with her! Don't buy any more junk, and fill the house with healthy snacks. Sit down with her during meals as often as possible and if shes hungry for a snack, cut up an apple with some peanut butter or give her grapes. She may be less likely to complain if you eat the same foods she does. Treats are ok sometimes, as long she eats healthy most of the time.

Sorry, I assumed you were talking about a girl. I don't know why. :)

Answer 3

I'm assuming you're the parent...

Don't have junk food in the house. At least that way you can make sure that at home (2 of their meals and evening snacks) will be good for them. They're only 10, so it's not like they have a full time job and can afford to eat out and buy their own. What they get from friends at school is out of your control, but you can pack a lunch and give them no spending/lunch money.

Put your foot down. Parents need to do that more than they do nowadays.

Answer 4

Havent you watched The Nanny? You are the parent. You decide what a 10 yr old eats. They will get hungry sooner or later and eat what you give them. Are you going to let a 10 year old boss you around!? They will push you, but in the end will (have to or else starve to death) respect boundaries.
Of course I am an expert because my eldest is 3 weeks old now. LOL.
Maybe dont take them to the supermarket would be a good way also.

Answer 5

Does the rest of the family model healthy eating and lifestyle? Change his diet, when he is hungry enough, he will eat. But unless you model nutrious eating yourself it will have no effect. Further, snack foods and desserts are occassional treats, they should not be an ordinary, daily expectation. Remove these foods from your house and only purchase them in small quantities for special occassions. Behavior modification is never easy or without a certain measure of discomfort, but true love is always correlated with suffering.

Answer 6

Start by preparing healthy versions of the food he/she likes...taco salad instead of tacos, pizza with more veggies, burgers with lean meat or ground turkey, spaghetti with a few extra veggies thrown in. Then start preparing one meal for the family and either he/she eats it, or doesn't eat. Pack healthy sandwiches and nuts/fruit for lunch, gradually adding more fruits and veggies. Remind your child that healthy food = a healthy body. That he'll have more energy and sleep better. This is a good time to change a child's eating habits for a lifetime of good health.