Step 1
This is a brand new journey for your family. Here are some great places to start:
- Start buying organic. Not sure where to start? Dairy and apples. Switch your milk and apples to organic and you have already made a huge commitment to healthier eating.
- Limit juice. If your kids are big juice drinkers, dilute it. I told my kids that it makes the juice last longer (not a lie!).
- Substitute healthier snacks. Are cookies and crackers the go-to snack in your house? If so, then it's time to introduce more fruits and veggies into the equation! See this great idea to get started on healthier snacking.
- Make healthy snacking accessible. My kids are old enough (5 and 3) to get their own snacks, within reason. Here is how I help them make healthier choices:
- I keep the crisper stocked with fresh whole fruit (apples, pears, grapes, peaches...) and pre-cut veggies in the refrigerator door. There are always carrots but sometimes I add celery and cucumber, too. TIP: Keep the container filled with water and the veggies won't dry out!
- We have a shelf in the pantry that they have access to. I keep bars (Larabars, Nature's Path, goodgreens), squeeze applesauce, dried fruit and fruit leathers there. If they ask for a snack, I tell them they can pick something from the shelf.
- The biggest thing I have found in changing my kids snacking is to not ask them what they want. If they say they are hungry, I simply get them something that I deem appropriate. Sometimes I surprise them with a treat! But often it is cut fruit, carrots and hummus, a small bowl of nuts, yogurt, a glass of milk or a smoothie... you get the idea!
- EAT AT HOME. The more you cook and eat at home (and the more you involve your kids) the more you are changing your body and you life!
Stay tuned to next month's newsletter on how to take your new healthy eating to the next level!
