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6 Strategies to Get Fussy Kids Eating Healthy Foods
Children can be extremely fussy eaters, slyly taking out the vegetables from their plates and focusing on the fried stuff. It can be quite agonizing for parents to get their children interested in healthy foods. However, with a little creativity, you can make even the pickiest eaters enjoy nutritious meals. Here are six strategies to ensure that your fussy eating kid is eating well:
Eggstastic!
Eggs are nature’s dietary supplement. Packed with vitamins, protein and essential nutrients such as folate, iron, selenium, potassium, calcium, and zinc, one egg can supply a significant proportion of a child’s daily dietary requirements. If your kids already like eggs, great! Some decent non-stick cookware is all you need to whip up a simple, flavorful and nutritious meal. However, for those who turn their noses up, try incorporating eggs into dishes that they love. You can simply add cooked eggs into items such as fried rice or burritos, or sneak them into baked goods such as muffins, bread and pancakes. Another option is to add boiled eggs into guacamole or in your mac and cheese. The kids will never know it’s in there and will reap the health benefits.
Incentivize
Many parents frown upon the pre-bedtime snack. However, you can harness the temptation by using it as an incentive to eat menu items that the little ones might find less palatable. You don’t want to go too crazy and pump them full of sugar before they head off to sleep, but within reason, something tasty later in the evening might be just the ticket to get him or her to finish that broccoli or green beans. For extra credit substitute the sugary treat with one of a vast variety of healthy muffin recipes that are so delicious, your kids will never know they are good for them.
Bread Alone
Most children love bread. However, many store-bought varieties, particularly white bread, have little or no nutritional value or are downright unhealthy. There is nothing quite as delicious as freshly baked bread, straight out of the oven, so why not try baking your own? You can experiment with various options such as garbanzo bean or lentil flour that produce surprisingly light and fluffy bread that even fussy little palates will love, and will provide plenty of protein and other nutrients. Additionally, try folding pureed vegetables into the dough to give the bread a sly vitamin and mineral kick.
Make Healthy Alternatives
Every kid loves french fries, but the fat and starch make them a health nightmare. Oven baked fries are just as delicious and require minimal oil. Add salt, pepper, some herbs, a drizzle of olive oil and bake them till crispy. These fries are highly nutritious, and your kids will love its unique taste and crunchy texture. You can take it one step further and surprise them with sweet potato or yam fries. Just be aware that these delicious veggies cook much more quickly than regular potatoes, so make sure not to burn them.
The Family That Eats Together...
Research shows that the simple act of sitting down as a family to eat meals results in children making better eating choices and consuming more healthy foods. Additionally, it is also associated with better emotional and psychological outcomes. Not only will you enjoy the opportunity to share quality time with your children, but they will also be more likely to eat a more varied diet.
Dealing with children and their food habits is not easy. However, with a few tweaks to your family meal plan and some imaginative thinking, you can make mealtimes less of a chore.
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