Trying to Get Picky Kids to Eat Healthy Foods

Getting picky kids to eat healthy is sometimes as simple as jazzing up certain foods. Provide your child with a variety of foods of all colors, cut them into interesting shapes and mix and match. MayoClinic.com recommends adding vegetables to spaghetti sauce or fruit to cereal rather than serving them alone. Consider low-fat sauces and dips to accompany fruits and vegetables as well. Hummus, peanut butter and low-fat vegetable dips are all good choices in moderation, and may make these foods more appealing.

Be A Role Model

Eat healthy yourself and be consistent about it -- establishing a routine is healthier for your child and teaches her beneficial long-term habits. Don’t eat things in front of your child that she is not allowed to consume and don’t merely dictate what to do, but guide her in her choices. Part of this involves having all the healthiest options on hand, for instance fresh produce, low-fat dairy and whole grains. Talk regularly about the impacts of healthy eating and don’t give up if a healthy transition does not happen overnight.

Get Your Child Involved

Get your child on board for every step of the food preparation process to engage her interest. Bring her to the grocery store and show her healthy selections don’t have to be boring or limited. Point out the color and diversity of fresh produce You could also consider having your child help out with small tasks in the kitchen during food preparation, which means you should cook at home as much as possible. This guarantees she will consume healthier foods as well, rather than being exposed to what may be included in a restaurant meal. Making her involved in the process might also get her more interested in eating what she helps create.

Allow Occasional Indulgences

Kids often don't know what's best for their health and would rather snack on junk food than the nutritious foods you know they need. Many sugary and fattening foods are also explicitly marketed toward young audiences. There are many ways to get your child started on healthy eating, or help get your child back on track if she’s been derailed. Often, changes will not happen immediately, but consistency is key in getting your picky child to make the switch to healthier options.

Make It Exciting

Getting picky kids to eat healthy is sometimes as simple as jazzing up certain foods. Provide your child with a variety of foods of all colors, cut them into interesting shapes and mix and match. MayoClinic.com recommends adding vegetables to spaghetti sauce or fruit to cereal rather than serving them alone. Consider low-fat sauces and dips to accompany fruits and vegetables as well. Hummus, peanut butter and low-fat vegetable dips are all good choices in moderation, and may make these foods more appealing.

Be A Role Model

Eat healthy yourself and be consistent about it -- establishing a routine is healthier for your child and teaches her beneficial long-term habits. Don’t eat things in front of your child that she is not allowed to consume and don’t merely dictate what to do, but guide her in her choices. Part of this involves having all the healthiest options on hand, for instance fresh produce, low-fat dairy and whole grains. Talk regularly about the impacts of healthy eating and don’t give up if a healthy transition does not happen overnight.

Get Your Child Involved

Get your child on board for every step of the food preparation process to engage her interest. Bring her to the grocery store and show her healthy selections don’t have to be boring or limited. Point out the color and diversity of fresh produce You could also consider having your child help out with small tasks in the kitchen during food preparation, which means you should cook at home as much as possible. This guarantees she will consume healthier foods as well, rather than being exposed to what may be included in a restaurant meal. Making her involved in the process might also get her more interested in eating what she helps create.

Allow Occasional Indulgences

Allow your child the occasional dessert or sweet treat, but don’t use these foods as a reward. Providing dessert as positive reinforcement can encourage kids to engage in emotional eating later in life. Do reward good choices with praise, however. According to MayoClinic.com, withholding dessert also teaches children dessert foods are superior foods to others, encouraging them to want them more. Intersperse meals with dessert with those followed by a healthy treat -- like low-fat yogurt -- instead. Too much junk food also tends to cause cravings for more junk food.