How to Feed Kids Healthy Non-Processed Food

Processed food isn't the most nutritious type of fare you could be feeding your kids, and it shouldn't have a regular place in their diets. But, if you're like most parents, you're probably skeptical about cutting out these foods. There's no question that processed foods are usually more convenient than preparing a meal from scratch, but many processed foods are high in calories, fat, sugar and salt and don't supply the key nutrients your child needs to grow. Parents have an incredible amount of power to teach children to enjoy healthy, unprocessed foods, according to "Harvard Magazine."

Instructions

    • 1

      Cook meals at home. It can take some getting used to make the transition from processed meals to home-cooked meals, but once you get the hang of it, it's an easy way to feed your children healthy foods. Make a big batch of vegetable stew or combine tomato sauce and fresh herbs to serve as a healthy sauce for pasta.

    • 2

      Serve plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables as nutritious side dishes. Fresh produce isn't processed at all, so skip the french fries and canned fruit packed in heavy syrup, and load your kids' plates with fresh greens, grape tomatoes, apple slices or orange wedges.

    • 3

      Serve a healthy breakfast every morning. Pass on the packaged cold cereals and prepare, from scratch, scrambled eggs, whole wheat pancakes or oatmeal with fresh fruit instead. These foods aren't processed and supply key nutrients your kids need, such as fiber and protein.

    • 4

      Monitor your kids' beverage consumption. Water is the least processed beverage, and it should make up the bulk of the fluids your kids drink each day. A small serving of 100 percent fruit juice or two or three cups of low-fat milk each day are acceptable as well, but skip soda and fruit-flavored drinks because they are highly processed and loaded with sugar.

    • 5

      Pack your kids' lunches and snacks. While the meals served in the cafeteria have to meet certain nutritional guidelines, the food is often processed. Prepare sandwiches or make homemade pizza with whole wheat crust and low-fat cheese. Stick a package of almonds or a piece of fresh fruit in your kids' backpacks as healthy snacks to keep them fueled throughout the day.

    • 6

      Visit farmers' markets and farms with your kids. This exposes your children to unprocessed foods and encourages them to try new foods that are healthy and as close to nature as possible.

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