Posted by: Dandelion May 2, 2011

Children may always not do what you say, but chances are they will do what you do. Since we all want our kids to grow up with healthy eating habits, modeling those habits is a powerful way to teach our kids.  Here are a few tips for demonstrating the kinds of eating habits you’d like to see in your kids:

- Eat what you’d like them to eat. That means eating a varied diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.  It means choosing foods that are low in sugar, salt, and fat.  Snack on healthy foods like fruit, vegetables, and nuts, and drink water instead of sugary drinks.  You don’t have to deprive yourself of your favorite treats, but demonstrating how they can be eaten in moderation is an important lesson.

- Eat where you want them to eat. The family table is where most of us would like our kids to eat, so eat your meals there and not in front of the television or while standing at the fridge.  Eating at the family table also shows kids that eating is a social experience, where we share the events of our busy lives.

- Demonstrate portion control.  Fill your plate with enough food to make you full but not stuffed.  If you eat out at a restaurant and end up with a huge portion, set aside food to take home and explain that eating it all at one sitting would be too much.

- Involve your kids in cooking. We’d all like our kids to be able to cook for themselves when they’re grown, so start involving your kids in food preparation now.  They’ll probably be more likely to eat food they've had a hand in preparing. New research shows kids seem to like crunchy veggies better, so experiment with different cooking methods to find their favorite.

- Try new foods. Ever find yourself saying, “How do you know you don’t like it if you won’t even try it?”  If you want your kids to try new foods, be sure to try some new ones yourself.

- Model good grocery shopping. Take your kids shopping, and show them how you decide what to buy.  Emphasize the color and freshness of produce, and if you buy organic, explain why.  Talk about when different foods are in season.  When you buy packaged foods, read the nutritional labels and explain to your kids what you’re looking for.

- Shop at farmer’s markets or farm stands, go to pick-your-own farms, or join a community supported agriculture (CSA) farm.  Show your kids that you appreciate how food is produced and want to learn about how it’s grown.  By supporting small farms, you teach your kids about the value of local agriculture, and picking your own produce is fun!

- Grow your own. Start your own garden, and make sure that your kids are involved in the process - from choosing what to grow right through harvest and, of course, eating!  You may find that your kids are more likely to eat food they've raised themselves.

Our Guest Blog post was given to us  by Dandelion – Earth Friendly Goods

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