Teach Kids to Eat Healthy!

by Denise Austin

Instead of passing on bad eating habits, aim to teach your kids how to eat right with this advice from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases:

• Eat breakfast every day. Don't let your child learn the habit of skipping meals, which leads to overeating later in the day.
• Reduce the amount of fast food you eat as a family. When you do eat fast food, stick to the healthier options available.
• Don't promise dessert if a child eats their vegetables. Using one food as a reward for eating another sends the message that some foods are more valuable than others, causing kids to favor the "valuable" foods.
• Instead of loading up their plate, start with small servings and encourage your kids to ask for more if they are still hungry. This helps them recognize their natural hunger cues.
• Allow your child to choose how much he or she eats from the healthy, balanced options you provide at mealtime. Don't focus on getting children to "clean their plate."

Training materials by Denise Austin