Does anyone have tips on getting my kids to eat healthier?

Question

I never reallized it until yesterday, but we went to a B-day party and my kids ate double the food of all the other kids.(They had lunch about 45 minutes before the party.) They are slightly overweight, but nothing that the doctor has gotten concerned about. Should I just cut out junk food all together? Or limit it to special occassions. I don't want them to have to struggle with weight and diets as I have. Most importantly, I want them to be healthy and active. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Smart momma!

When they get home from school, give them a plate of celery with peanut butter. This is not only healthy, but gives them protein (they'll stay full longer!)

If they want a snack, get some low fat popcorn. It tastes good and they'll never know the difference.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are key. Their bodies are developing and they need all the nutrition they can get. Cut out sodas and give them milk. Cut out ice cream and get them yogurt.

You don't have to totally change their diets, just make it more healthy....buy low fat, buy HEALTHY snacks, and get them moving.

If you have the means, sign them up for karate. Karate teaches so many wonderful principles, one of which is caring for the mind and body.

Good luck, and good thinking!

Answer 2

I went through this with my own son. First off I got rid of all the junk food. Took the weekend and cleaned out the freezers, fridge and pantry. I also pack his lunches so I can control what he's eating and I know that from time to time the kids will swap but it's the best I can do if I am not there to watch him.

Go to http://www.mypyramid.gov/ and click on "my pyramid plan" and put in your child's information. It will tell you what and how much they should be eating. That's what I did. Then I went to the office supply store and bought a box of business cards, the kind formatted for you to print on your printer. Follow the instructions in the box to format which ever program you are going to use to print out the cards. Then let's say you are allowed 4 to 5 servings of fruit and veggies. Then make 5 fruit & veggie cards and so on with all the foods. Then you let your child set aside the cards that he or she has eaten or plans on eating. They become more accountable about how much and what they put into their body and it is amazing how well it works. My kid lost 8 lbs. the first 2 weeks and he was beyond thrilled, loved doing the cards and a year later still uses them.

Answer 3

Yes, it would be good to start teaching them healthier eating habits now before their weight gets out of control. Soda pop is an easy target, worthless calories, replace with milk or fruit juice or water.

Add more veggies to dinner and use fruit for snacks. Most kids love grapes. Those little carrots and fat free dip are another snack that is popular with kids.

It might be difficult to cut out all junk food at once, but cut it down at first and replace with healthier alternatives. Then when they get use to that cut out more sweets and chips and stuff.

A little junk food is okay because they will be faced with junk food all their lives and should learn that you can eat some treats but only in moderation.

Good luck.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I am eating a balanced, healthy diet and so does the rest of my family---except my youngest. She started being picky when she no longer received bottles/was nursed. At first, I thought it was just a phase. Toddlers can be picky. But she ate fewer and fewer foods. My pediatrician said to just continue to offer her healthy foods. He said that she would start eating them. It never happened. She is 9 now and if we hadn't started insisting that she try different foods (we waited until she was 8. I recommend starting earlier!), she would have continued to live off rice and fish sticks. She is still extremely picky. What I have found is when my daughter is extremely hungry, she is more likely to try different foods and actually give the food a chance. Of course, when she is less hungry, she will often turn it down again anyway. Every so often, I do not buy any of her "preferred foods". When these foods are not in the house, she will eat other things but only then.

Answer 5

I've had the same problem in the past with my children. I quit buying unhealthy food/snacks and introduced them to healthier foods. After a week of them eating what I made them without complaining, I treat them to pizza.

All kids are different but because you care, you will figure out what's right for your kids on your own.

Good Luck

Answer 6

Try the new shopping diet.
They cannot eat what you don't buy.
Remember the rule of 10 : Kids will complain ,but kids lose interest quickly in anything, So if you persist they will give in by the tenth time.
Instill into your children "diet and exercise go together" 50-50 split. If they want the extra pie ..they have to do the extra work out. 50-50 no exceptions. Food is for nutrition , and not to be a hobby, or pastime when your bored.

Answer 7

Kiki is right i just want to add that having your kids drink milk is a good idea but limit it to only after school with the celery and possibly dinner, or else you will be paying a fortune for the milk. Tap water is a good alternative for when the kids get thirsty between these times. If you don't trust the water in your town a purifier would be a good investment. However, don't start buying bottled water for your kids since then you might as well just be paying for the milk.

Answer 8

You've gotten some good answers here, although I think that cutting junk food out absolutely completely is unrealistic. Everyone is going to have a cookie or a soda now and then. I believe everyone deserves a cookie or a soda now and then! Cut out the majority of the junk food, yes, that's great, but I'd say let them have something at some time. Maybe just once or twice a week even, and it doesn't have to be total junk that has no healthy qualities, just something that they enjoy. Moderation is the key, as they always say.

I would also suggest talking to your children's doctor about exactly what type of diet they should be on. You know, they seem to change what's "good for you" every 6 months!

I'd also think about getting the kids on a multi-vitamin if they aren't already on one.

Answer 9

I know what you mean. I noticed my daughter grabbing all the junk food while very few kids were eating the healthy stuff. But you have to realize they are what they see. YOu may want to consider to slowly take way the junk and misplace it with healthy food. Some healthy good is quite good and my kids are starting to like it better,

Answer 10

Jerry Seinfeld's wife just put out a book on how to "hide" vegetables and stuff in food. Even in brownies!! Not sure what the title of the book is though, sorry. Just saw it on GMA a couple of weeks ago though.