Family Matters: Starting Healthy Habits at Home

This isn't a new topic, but it bears repeating: don't feed your family junk. Seems like a simple thing, right? However, I constantly run into mom's that are eating a salad but feeding their children chicken nuggets and french fries. This makes zero sense to me. While happy that you're taking care of yourself, I'm appalled that you let your children consume such horrible food. Children start out in the world with perfect, untainted bodies. It's us adults that junk up their systems! Healthy habits are learned, and it starts at home. According to First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move Campaign, nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese. Don't let your kids fall into the same trap!

Pleasing children's palates can definitely be challenging, and you may be faced with a four-year-old that refuses to eat anything but chicken nuggets or macaroni and cheese. The good news is that these foods are so easy to make in a healthy way! Consider making homemade chicken nuggets with chicken breast (preferably organic) coated with bread crumbs and baked in the oven. Macaroni and cheese can be made-over with reduced-fat cheese, whole grain pasta, and veggies. Try nutritious no-bake cookies for a sweet snack on the run. You might need to get a little creative and be patient as your introduce new and wholesome foods, but in the long run, it will pay off when you've created lasting, healthy habits in your children. 

Stay tuned for next week's post on introducing exercise to your kiddos!