How to Get Your Kids to Eat Better in 2024
The new year is upon us, and one of your goals for 2024 is to have your household eat even healthier. However, convincing the kids to do so (and stay the course) can be a challenge, especially after they’ve been shoveling sugar cookies like snow off of sidewalks through December. More importantly, you want them to want to eat healthy, without having to constantly remind them. We’ve got you covered. Follow the tips below and you’re kids will be chomping at the bit to chow down on nutritious meals and snacks.
7 Steps to Getting Your Kids Excited About Eating Even Healthier this Year
Start a Home Garden
Research has shown that young children who grow up with a backyard garden are more than twice as likely to get five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, compared to those who did not. Moreover, an expanding body of research finds that when children help grow fruits and vegetables, they are more likely to eat more produce and try new and nutritious varieties.
If you don’t have a garden in your yard, grow one together with your kids this year. If you already have a garden, expand upon the types of crops grown to add diversity to their diet and get them excited about trying new things. What if you don’t have a yard? Fret not, because you can also start a garden indoors by following these tips.
Get the Household Involved in a Community Garden
Studies show that community gardens also have a significant impact on the self-development of healthy eating habits in youth, while fostering leadership skills. In addition to a home garden, volunteer your household to get involved in a local community garden. If there isn’t one near you, consider starting one!
Add Healthy Eating Apps to Their Smartphones and Tablets
While outdoor learning experiences (gardening) are critical to the development of a healthy lifestyle for your kids (healthy eating included) you certainly cannot ignore the fact that they spend time on digital devices. Balance their usual gaming (as allowed) by also downloading apps that teach them to eat healthy in a fun and engaging manner. View these 10 recommended health and nutrition apps for kids.
Add Health Conscious Movies to Their Watchlist
Whether your household. has an Amazon Prime, Disney, HBO Max, or Netflix subscription (or all of the above) you’ll be pleased to know that you can add movies to their watchlist that promote healthy living and eating without being too “in their face” about it. View this list of classic children’s films that will get your kids more invested in what they eat.
Add Cooking Shows to Their Watchlist
Science Daily reports a new study has found that children are twice as likely to choose to eat healthy snacks on their own after watching cooking shows that highlight nutritious food. Pepper your household’s TV programming and streaming watchlist with shows about healthy cooking as a supplement to those cookie baking challenge programs that they’re probably already viewing. While you’re add it, consider these popular gardening and farming shows.
Add Gardening Books to Their Reading List
Round out your kids’ content consumption plan with books that also encourage them to consume healthy foods. Checkout this timeless list of Children’s Books About Health and Nutrition that Your Kids Will Enjoy.
Get Them Cooking!
If you really want to get cooking on your plans to get your kids to eat healthier, encourage them to be even more hands-on. A study conducted by the University of Alberta (among many others) found that children who help cook at home are more likely to enjoy fruits and veggies than kids who don’t cook. Furthermore, the research found that kids who did meal prep and cooking were more confident about the importance of making healthier food choices.
The Plant a Seed & See What Grows Foundation also has big plans for 2024, as we continue our work to promote healthy living for kids across Canada. Help us help the next generation by pledging your support too! View more on how you can get involved in the year ahead, and beyond.
