All kids love ‘processed food’ because it is fun. It is advertised as ‘fun’ and comes in colourful packaging with ‘fun’ images. How can kids resist ? The problem is processed food is not good for our sensitive children because they have added colourings, preservatives, flavours and sugar. Nutrients are often depleted or nonexistent.
So how do you get your sensitive kids to eat at least 5 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fresh fruit every day? Make it fun !
Shape
Change the shape of the food— Slinky Apples, watermelon balls, crinkle cut carrots. Go to a homewares shop and have a look for different tools they have to cut out fruit. I have one that crinkle cuts carrots, balls melons and another than turns apples into spirals (this is a real treat with all my boys friends).
Colour
Have a different colour theme for each day of the week. Red on Mondays, Green on Tuesdays, Yellow & Orange of Wednesdays, etc. The Rainbow Food website has lots of ideas— www.rainbowfood.com.au.
Names
Make up fun names for the foods, snacks and even dinners — Zany Snacks, Ace Apples, Cunning Carrots. This can really make a difference. Ask your kids to help you.
Variety
Go to your local fruit shop and look for different types of fruit and vegetables. Buy something you have never bought before (make sure it is in season). And then serve it up to your family—talk about how it tastes and smells. Who likes it, who doesn’t.
Your child won’t eat dinner?
They will grow out of it. In the meantime leave healthy snacks around the house. If they graze they won’t starve. Leave bowls of healthy snacks where the kids are — and change the food often (colour, variety shape).
Plant a Vegetable Garden
Children love planting plants, and watching them grow. And they are more likely to eat vegetables if they have grown them themselves. You could buy and plant a fruit tree; plant vegetables and encourage your child to water them and watch them grow.
Use visualisation
I really believe in the power of thought ‘your thoughts create your reality’. So, if you want your kids to be vital, energetic, and focused start ‘imagining’ them eating and enjoying healthy food.
Ask your Kids
Kids are always full of good ideas, ask them how to make lunches and dinners fun !
