PARENTING
TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN TO EAT HEALTHILY MODEL THE WAY
WRITTEN BY T.E. CUNNINGHAM
A
s parents we all share the same concern. How do we get our children to eat healthier and make them feel engaged and excited about it? It’s a tough one—made worse by a society of fast food and endless choices. My son was diagnosed with autism at the age of three, and I learned quickly that the challenge often increases for parents of children with particular circumstances. My son would eat only five things until he was eight years old. I remember a night of frustration and tears when I nearly wrestled him to the ground, trying to get him to taste a piece of pizza. When I achieved victory, he chewed slowly and looked at me. “Hey, Mom. Not bad.” And that was pizza! Forget about squash, cucumbers, or apples. It wasn’t happening. I learned slowly over time— and with many parents’ guidance— some tricks to turn things around.
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SIMPLYkc MAGAZINE
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MAY 2021
Here are some quick tips to help put you and your children on a healthier path: •P lan meals ahead of time, especially dinner. You will cook healthier foods for the family overall if you are intentional about what you are having. When meal planning, plan snacks as well and keep all meals on a schedule. A final note on this, do not make different meals for your children than you do for the adults; it sets a precedent that will be hard to eliminate. •D o not let your children skip breakfast, even if they aren’t hungry. If they don’t have much of an appetite, that’s okay. But get them to eat a healthy protein bar or a small yogurt. •S nacks should be kid-friendly, but avoid sugary or heavy carb items. Healthy choices like carrots, peanut butter on celery, a small helping of low-fat cheese, or yogurt are solid choices.
