Trying to get my kids to eat healthier?

Question

I told them I was not going to buy white bread anymore so they needed to get used to the type I am buying now, because when school starts that's what they're lunches will be made with. I got the expected, attitude and ughhh and yuck - felt like saying then fine, starve! I didn't, what do you think I should do? I don't want them throwing their lunches away and not eating................any suggestions on a decent bread kids will eat? They are in jr/sr high.

Answer 1

They are old enough to understand what a healthy diet is and to work with you to plan and prepare healthy lunches. By the time I was in highschool I would have given anything not to see another sandwich. There are plenty of other healthy options that can be taken to school for lunch, particularly students that are old enough to be able to cut their own meat etc. The can take cold chicken breasts, fish or pork with a side of salad, or grilled veggies, pasta salad, rice, roast potatoes etc. They can have wraps. They can take quiche. There are many, many foods aside from sandwiches that can be eaten cold or at room temperature. Even things like apple crumble are healthy when made properly

And as I said they can help prepare their lunches. In fact get them involved with meal planning for the whole family. They can each cook at least one meal a week. And lets say they want grilled chicken breasts for lunch one day, well for dinner one night you will have chicken breasts as well -maybe cooked with a different spice mix to make it more interesting. If you have the grill on grill extra veggies for a different night. Having pork chops one night, cut up some extras and skewer them to cook quickly another night for either dinner or lunch the next day, etc. Show them how to plan healthy meals for a family each week including lunches and dinners, and show them how to shop. These skills will be invaluable once they move out of home. Also if you want your kids to enjoy brown bagging it, you brown bag it too. YOU have to set an example.

Also just because they don't like one kind of whole wheat bread doesn't mean they won't like any kind of whole wheat bread. Try different ones! Try going to local farmer's markets often they have samples of their various breads out for you to try, or just buy a different kind each week until your kids discover what they do like. Most of the commercial whole grain bread that is like mass produced like wonderbread is pretty icky. However rye, pumpernickel, etc are much tastier. Particularly actual bakery bread.

Answer 2

Sara Lee Whole Grain White Bread

Answer 3

I absolutely have the same issues and the same ideas. I buy the good bread for myself and I try to sneak it to them on things like grilled cheese where they're usually willing to eat it. I still buy them the junk bread but, I get the relatively new ones that say they are whole wheat (or partially whole wheat) but look like white bread. I don't think they're real healthy but I assume they're better than traditional white bread. Have you tried wraps? At least they tend to not have the trans fats in them that are so bad and you can create more interesting sandwich type things with them. I even tried to get whole wheat goldfish but that didn't go over too well. I do buy whole wheat pastas which my kids objected to but if I make it half whole wheat and half traditional white pasta they don't mind it at all. I figure at least I'm trying.... good luck!

Answer 4

Try a bread made by Natures Own called WhiteWheat. It looks like regular bread and they will not be able to taste the difference. I buy it and put it in a plastic bread container so they never see the bag.

Answer 5

I know you are just trolling but will answer anyway. Because she is a liberal. There is something about being a liberal that turns them into busybodies. Even if you could get the kids to eat it, instead of just having to throw it out. One meal a day, five days a week for nine months out of the year will accomplish diddly squat in regards to obesity. People spend tons of money on diet and gym memberships with little to no results. This doesn't even make a good joke.

Answer 6

What are you doing making their lunches? Let them buy their own bread if it's that important. You can provide the insides and have THEM make the sandwiches. They could always eat school lunch.

Answer 7

Stick to your guns on this and don't let them walk all over you!
If they don't like it - fine, let them starve. They need to learn to be more appreciative of your concern for their health!
Toss ALL junk foods and sweets. Buy only healthy foods and those with 'natural' sugars.
My son switched is entire family to healthy foods - sure they pitched a fit (in the beginning) but they soon began eating what he bought or starve. They eat just about anything now and appreciate it very much.

Answer 8

my kids love wholemeal multigrain bread. I buy it from the bakery. I have no problems with bread as they have always eaten wholmeal. They love white but it is a treat for them. Good idea strating now. They will get use to it but you want to find a really soft one, not the ones that feel half stale

Answer 9

Sara Lee and Wonder make whole grain white bread that actually taste good. They don't taste like cardboard. Buy a loaf without telling them what it is, give it to them one day, and then ask what they think. I bet they won't notice the difference.

Answer 10

I have the same problem. The best bread I can find that they like is the Martins whole wheat potato bread.