Good nutrition is key to your kids living a heart-healthy life, yet about one in three American kids and teens is overweight or obese, nearly triple the rate in 1963. And many are from diverse audiences. In fact, unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity are so serious that today’s kids may be the first generation who won’t live as long as their parents.
Unhealthy habits can form early, even before age 2. Here are a few tips to get your kids and entire family on track to better eating:
Let them help with grocery shopping.
Have them help put together a shopping list and give them fun, educational tasks. For example, you can tell them to count out six Fuji apples.
Get your kids involved in food prep.
They can rinse vegetables, tear lettuce or stirring. Help if needed.
Encourage them to try new foods.
Put a small portion of a new fruit or veggie on their plate and ask them to taste it. Sometimes cooking veggies in forms that kids are comfortable with can encourage them to try. Blending cauliflower to look like mashed potatoes is a great example.
Give your kids the opportunity to weigh in during menu planning.
Let them choose between two healthy dishes that will be made that week. If your schedule is flexible, let them pick the night it will be prepared. The American Heart Association is working to help kids and families live heart-healthy lives. Learn more by clicking the link below.