How do you get your kids to eat healthy?

A common question that many of my friends ask me...how do you get your kids to eat healthy?

Here are a few tips that I have learned along the way:

1. Only bring healthy foods into the house (this helps mom and dad, too)
2. The kids eat the same meals as we do...trust me...if they are hungry they will eat
3. My kids are not allowed to have snacks in the evening, if they did not eat most of their dinner
4. Have fresh veggies and fruit cut up ahead of time when they want a snack
5. Have them help cook dinner...it is amazing they like to try and eat what they help prepare
6. Let the kids pick their favorite veggies and fruit at the grocery store and try new things
7. They model what they see...if you are eating healthy and enjoying it...eventually they will too
8. NO FAST FOOD-it's hard to want veggies when you've been eating McDonald's cheeseburgers
9. Find some dips and salad dressings to make or buy that the kids can dip veggies in
10. I don't force them to eat anything but if they choose to not eat then they'll be hungry:)

Last but not least...I always motivate them by letting them know that eating healthy helps them stay strong, run fast and feel good!!

It is amazing to me that as moms we would never consider letting our children take drugs, drink alcohol, eat poison but everyday we allow them to consume things that are proven to cause heart problems, weight issues, chronic illness, increase chances of cancer, diabetes, and many other serious illnesses.

In fact, the American Heart Association estimates that 27 million American children under the age of nineteen have high cholesterol and that 2.2 million have high blood pressure.  Type 2 diabetes is considered epidemic in adolescents. It is now predicted by the CDC that one in three American children born in 2000 will go on to develop diabetes. 

By helping your children eat healthy you could be saving them from a lifetime of health issues. 

Sometimes it seems easier to grab fast food and mom's tell me that they cannot afford to eat healthy because it's too expensive.  I would challenge you with you cannot afford NOT to eat healthy.  Another thing to consider is cheaper options of eating healthy: beans, rice, veggies....not much is cheaper than a meal with those items.  You'll also save money on medical expenses!

Start with small changes...example: no more soda or add a salad to one meal a day.  Each week pick one healthy food to add and one to leave behind.  Before you know it...you'll be on your way to having more energy, feeling better and being healthier.

Your kids are worth it and so are you!

Melissa