Here a few tips to help promote healthier eating for your child as they settle into their school routine!
- Involve your child in the meal-plan process: This will give you an opportunity to discuss with your child why some foods may be healthier than others. Plus, keeping your child involved in deciding what to pack in their lunchbox typically leads to a higher chance that they will actually eat the foods you pack.
- Practice what you preach: Children establish their eating habits early on, and tend to mirror their parents habits. Therefore, it is important for parents to also practice healthy eating and meal-planning strategies at home.
- Fruits and veggies: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a diet rich in fruit and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of diabetes, stroke, cancer, and other serious diseases. A recent study found that kids prefer apples to any other fruit, so pack an apple with your child’s lunch (after discussing this lunch choice with them)!
Click here for more advice on how to pack healthy lunches for your children and here for some healthy breakfast, lunch, and after-school snack ideas!