Providing good nutrition for children is incredibly important for their ability to grow and thrive. A healthy diet can also help prevent obesity, diabetes, and other weight related diseases. So what can you do to provide your child with good nutrition? Follow along for some tips and easy ideas to incorporate into their lives!
How to provide your child with a nutritious diet
- Make half of your Child’s plate full of fruits and vegetables
- Broil, grill, or steam foods instead of frying them
- Limit processed foods such as fast food and foods rich in refined carbohydrates and sugar
- Offer water, or add fun flavor enhancers to water such as cut up fruit, lemon, and lime wedges
- Serve whole grains such as brown rice, whole grain bread, quinoa, and lentil pasta
- Chose healthy protein sources such has lean meat, nuts, seeds, and eggs
Make changes slowly
The key to implementing the changes above is to make them slowly. Most kids need time to adjust to a different way of eating, so it is important to incorporate dietary changes slowly so they can adapt. Similar to adults, it is always best to make gradual changes rather than drastic ones that tend to not stick. Don’t know where to start? Try swapping out regular pasta for lentil or brown rice pasta with their favorite sauce!
Get the kids involved
Teaching kids the ways around the kitchen and teaching them how foods affect their bodies in positive ways such as for energy, focus, and concentration can really help the healthy eating process!
Having kids help prep meals can also be a fun activity and way to bond! Letting them pick healthy meals, and familiarizing them with ingredients can be very fun! Encouraging them to try new fruits and vegetables is also a great way to get them more engaged and excited. additionally, chopping vegetables and fruit for snacks and meals can also be a great place to start!
Make leftovers
Often times kids will reach for processed foods for snacks when they get home from school, or ask for carbohydrate rich snacks. Making leftovers can help provide kids with a healthier snack or meal! Preparing extra protein, veggies, and starches such as roasted sweet potatoes, or lentil pasta salad with vegetables can help get some more nutrients into their diets!
Follow us on instagram @sarahwraggewellness for more tips on children nutrition and healthy swaps for snacks and more!
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