Eat Healthy Kids!

Here are five simple ways to get young children to eat their fruits and vegetables in the hope of cultivating healthy eating habits that last from childhood onwards.

1. SET EXAMPLES. As with anything, parents are the key influence in their child's life. Your kids eating patterns and food preferences are greatly shaped by foods that parents present and enforce upon them. The best way to encourage young children to follow a proper diet is to model healthy eating habits.

2. GET THE CHILDREN INVOLVED. Instead of just asking the children what they want to have for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, allow them to have a more active role in choosing the food that they eat. Coming up with a menu, grocery shopping, and preparing the food together will let them know that eating healthy can be fun.

3. CHOOSE HEALTHY RESTAURANTS. Sticking to your eating habits even if you're dining out isn't a hard thing to do. Believe it or not, there are many healthy eating spots in your area where your family can indulge without the guilt.

4. USE THE POWER OF SUGGESTION. Don't force--suggest! You can bring this practice at home by changing your tone and/or rephrasing your sentences. Scratch “Eat your fruits and vegetables!” in favor of “How about some oranges?”

5. CAMOUFLAGE. Some parents feel guilty of trickery when they camouflage vegetables in their child’s meals. However, it sometimes is the only way to get the youngsters to eat healthy. So go ahead and dip those broccoli flowers in cheese or blend small slices of fruits into jell-o!