GROW UP TOGETHER

Feeding Your Kid’s Health Needs
Fill their tiny plates with foods that are big on health.

Imagine giving your kids full control of your menu for one whole week. What do you think it would look like? If it looks like a pie chart made of pizza, then we’re here to help you out!

Though it can be pretty tempting to give in to their wants, giving them what they need is our responsibility, especially when it comes to health. Here are a few simple tips to follow to make sure your kid’s eating a colorful array of foods—yes, including the greens!

Our kids look up to us, both literally and figuratively! So, let’s take advantage of these formative years when they’re trying to gather knowledge about the world. When it comes to eating healthily, what we show them matters. If you show yourself enjoying food like broccoli, they will register it as a good and fun thing, making them eager to try it themselves.

And if you haven’t built up a healthy eating habit yourself, doing this can turn it into a habit. 

Kids are visual by nature. For them, something that looks like brocolli, screams like brocolli. One thing you can do is chop and dice them up into tiny pieces, then add them into food that your kids like. Dipping fried cauliflower in melted cheese is one technique you can explore. If your kid’s into fruit shakes, try blending mangoes and bananas with some romaine lettuce. 

Hear us out. Sooner or later, your kid will ask for ice cream—that’s just human nature at this point! Remember that even for us as adults, consuming sweets is not a bad thing, overconsumption is. Be sure to keep sugars like chocolates, candies, sodas, and fruit juices at a minimum.

Pro tip: Don’t use sweets as rewards. Instead, make it a part of meals. A bite of chocolate mid-plate? Go for it! A sip of milkshake after a bite? Why not! Including sweets within meals helps your kids see them as a part of their plate and can minimize the need to look for them when they’re older. 

“Starting your day right” is a concept that knows no age. Getting your kids used to a balanced breakfast is key to unlocking the most out of their days. Keep in mind these four breakfast components: milk or dairy products, fruits and/or vegetables, whole grains like bread or cereal flakes, and a drink.  

Keeping kids on the go is a good way to make sure they’re using up all the energy they get from the food you feed them. Now, while they’re a little too young to have a gym membership,  

you can supplement their daily movement by involving them in house chores. Make them lift blankets and towels from place to place, sweep and wipe the floors, or have them clean up their toys after playing. Just be sure to always associate the activity with a positive and cheerful vibe.  

In these early years, our children’s brains are malleable, and then comes the point wherein the patterns they had growing up get set in stone. As parents, we have the opportunity to influence their development to ensure good habits stand the test of time. And if you’ve noticed, a lot of our tips involve doing things together with your kids. You can never have too many bonding moments with them, so get as many as you can before they grow up!