1. Get rid of the junk food.
We rarely have junk food in our house. If we're having a special treat, it will either be something we make at home (out of whole ingredients) or we'll go out to order and enjoy it.
This isn't rocket science, of course, but it makes sense that it's easier for our kids to eat healthy foods if there aren't tons of competing foods in the house.
2. Offer it as an appetizer.
Instead of putting veggies on dinner or lunch plates, why not serve them before the meal?
Using this strategy hungry bodies start munching while you have time to finish dishing up the rest of the meal. Served this way, veggies seem like a treat or a head start on dinner.
3. Serve a "veggie snack" in front of the tele.
We don't typically eat in front of the television, so when we do, it seems special.
Sometimes while the kids are watching a video I will put bowls of raw veggies together and come through as a "waitress." I have never had a child turn down a veggie snack offered this way!
4. Grow it.
I have been amazed in recent days to watch Jonathan, our pickiest eater, munching away on kale and lettuce. Why? Because he planted the seeds, watered the crops, kept an eye out for pests, and harvested the leaves.
There's such pride involved when kids grow their own food--amazing.
5. Try the "take a bite" policy.
When I came across an article that said most kids (& adults) have to try a food eight times before coming to enjoy it, I was amazed.
I told the kids about it and encouraged us all to try at least a bite of foods that aren't our favorites. I was surprised by how easily this has gone over--I think perhaps because I've been doing it as well.
"It's not the extremes and the treats that are the problem. It's the everyday."
~ Jamie Oliver
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