Ask any parent what their biggest challenges are, and most of the time they will certainly tell you that getting their child to eat healthy, nutritious food is right up there (alongside bedtimes and tantrums). It is one of the hardest things we’ve got to come to terms with, which is why we have to make sure that food is something that’s nothing to be feared, but also needs to be enticing, fun, and interesting. With this in mind, let’s show you a few ways to make food far more fun.
More Sauces
Sauces are one of those things that many kids can lean on. Some kids are prone to putting a lot of ketchup on their plates to the point that it covers the entirety of the food. But sauces can be a lifeline, but it’s about diversifying the numerous types of sources your kids use. When you start to get them into more different sauces, with different herbs and flavors, you can start to sneak vegetables into them. A good place to begin is this chimichurri recipe because it has onions, cilantro, and numerous herbs and spices. A lot of the time our children don’t like lots of flavor, but many sauces with herbs, spices, and a lot of blitzed-up vegetables could be the secret ingredient.
Focusing on Color
For younger children, this can on be more appealing. Foods with a variety of colors are naturally vegetables and therefore having a variety of different colors of ordinary foods can make a big difference and be more visually appealing. When you start to eat food with different colors, remember that the reason they have different colors is they have different types of nutrients. So the more rainbow-like, the better.
Serve It in a Different Way
Presentation is something that can make a big difference when we are serving up food. If you are trying to make food more interesting for your kids, something like an apple is not particularly appealing when it is intact. Therefore, apple chips or wedges can make for something far more intriguing. And for an extra dose of protein, apple chips with a side of peanut butter can instantly elevate the food to something completely different.
Get Them Involved in the Food Selection
While you may not like taking your kids to the grocery store, if you want to get your kids interested in healthier foods, you could benefit from dragging them along because it will help them to be more knowledgeable in terms of good food choices. Your kids picking out certain foods that will go into a meal later makes them emotionally invested. Because if you are trying to get them into home cooking and eating healthier, the best approach is to make sure they are in on the deal.
It is such a massive challenge; and even if none of these work, it’s important to remember that the battle may be lost, but the war is still going on. Kids change tastes all the time. Be persistent!
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