How to Get a Child Excited About Nutrition

Today, fast-food and sugar-sweetened beverage advertisements often target young children, causing many of them to turn their noses up when fresh fruits and vegetables are present. According to a 2011 study conducted by Yale University at the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity, regular exposure to such advertisements is directly linked to childhood obesity. Obesity rates have more than tripled in adolescents and more than doubled in young children over the past 30 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Finding ways to get children excited about nutrition is essential for their overall health and is not as difficult as you might think.

Instructions

    • 1

      Involve your child in the meal-selection process. Have him research healthy foods and meals on the Internet, and allow him to plan family dinners. Take him to the grocery store with you, and let him select the fruits, vegetables, lean meats, grains and desserts you plan to prepare. Explain the nutritional benefits of each item before placing it into the basket, and avoid foods that are void of nutrients. If you're not sure about a food's nutrient value, pull out your cellphone or tablet and research the item together. Shopping with your child not only gives you the opportunity to bond with him, but it also paves the way for healthy eating habits in the future.

    • 2

      Get your child in the kitchen, and supervise her as she performs a variety of tasks. Small children can wash produce, peel hard-boiled eggs, and measure and mix ingredients. Older children can slice fruits, chop vegetables, open jars, and cook basic meals. Children also enjoy using small appliances, such as juicers and smoothie makers, to prepare delicious, nutrient-dense drinks. You can also prepare homemade pizzas with healthy toppings, nutritious turkey tacos, veggie-filled chicken wraps and other healthy foods that are fun to make. Teaching your child to cook healthy food at an early age will boost her confidence and make a huge impact on her lifelong relationship with food.

    • 3

      Talk to your child about the dangers of unhealthy eating. Use the Internet to research the myriad health problems associated with excessively consuming sugar, fat-laden desserts, processed meats and salt. Discuss the rates at which children are developing diet-related diseases that were mostly common in adults, such as diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis and some cancers. Talk about the difference between free-range and factory-farmed meats and between organic and conventional produce. Arm your children with knowledge that will excite them about eating nutritiously and encourage them to make nutritious eating a priority.

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