Below, in no particular order, is a list of healthy choices that should be made for your children so that these choices are ingrained in your children and help make these healthy choices yours:

Vegetables:

1. Encourage your children to eat vegetables

2. They should taste good (at least they should taste like they are supposed to taste) and there’s nothing to say that you can’t add some grated cheese on top, right?

3. Let your kids see you both eating vegetables! Healthy options for you too!

4. If necessary, you can hide grated vegetables in mashed potatoes, spaghetti sauce, or other foods “in a pot.”

5. Let them serve themselves. Give them a little control over their serving size

6. A kid-friendly way to serve veggies is by making a homemade pizza! You can make (or buy) a pizza crust and let the vegetables add to it along with the other ingredients.

Your kids need more fiber! This is a healthy option that is really easy!

1. If your children are already eating whole wheat or 9 grain bread, so much the better. Otherwise, just go for a lighter whole grain and introduce it slowly.

2. To increase the volume of the casseroles, use lentils and beans. This is also good for Mexican dishes and salads.

3. Buy more high-fiber, kid-friendly cereals.

4. Have Healthy Choice snacks on hand:

Yoghurt

lactose

fresh fruit

nuts (children over 3 years old)

crusty bread with peanut butter and / or cheese

simple muesli bars

Lots of fluids: the healthy option

1. Always have cold water in a bottle in the refrigerator.

2. Bring them a bottle when you go out.

3. Dilute the fruit juice 50/50 with water. Limit this drink (high calories)

4. After age 2, reduced-fat milk and yogurt are fine. (Switch from high-fat milk at that age, or you’ll have a fight on your hands!)

With a little planning, you can make sure your kids eat the right way and make all those important healthy choices for themselves!