Encouraging your kids to adopt a healthy diet can be challenging for many parents.
In a battle between sugar-laden doughnuts and steamed broccoli, the former is bound to win.
With National Nutrition Month in full swing this March, how does one get their kids to love healthy food?
Turns out, the good news of proper nutrition isn’t so hard to preach.
This guide lists how families can celebrate National Nutrition Month, including growing a verdant vegetable garden, hosting a healthy food potluck, and giving away goodie bags with healthy snacks and personalized silicone wristbands.
Explain What National Nutrition Month Is About
Before diving into the month’s festivities, let your children understand the purpose of National Nutrition Month and why it focuses on healthy eating and proper exercise.
National Nutrition Month was created in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The annual celebration encourages everyone to learn about healthy food choices.
Each year, a new nutrition-related theme is introduced, and schools, organizations, and families worldwide host different activities to celebrate healthy eating.
Discuss the Benefits of Good Nutrition
Without knowing the whys behind maintaining a good diet, it’s easy for kids to become demotivated in making healthier food choices.
The trick is to keep the discussion age-appropriate when discussing the benefits of healthy eating.
Younger children are more receptive to simple explanations like “chicken helps your muscles grow bigger” or “rice gives you the energy to run longer.”
In comparison, older children can digest more complex information.
For instance, explain what vitamins are in lemon juice that can help them ward off a cold or discuss how our bodies require specific amounts of nutrients daily to stay healthy.
Plant a Vegetable Garden
One of the best ways to kick off National Nutrition Month is to start a fruit and vegetable garden with your kids.
It makes for a fun bonding time and teaches your kids the value of hard work, patience, and the vitamin-packed power of healthy, organically grown produce.
Top tip: Consider beginner-friendly vegetables like carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, squash, blackberries, and strawberries when considering what to plant.
When ripe, teach your children how to harvest your fruits and vegetables and include them in your daily meals.
Teach a Cooking Class on Nutritious Food
A great way to keep your kids interested in healthy food is to involve them in food shopping and cooking at an early age.
Use your free time this month to go grocery shopping with your children, pointing out healthy food choices and alternatives.
Most kids are excited about whipping something up from scratch, so use the groceries you shopped for to prepare a healthy meal at home.
Teach your children the basics of cooking (making sure to keep it age-appropriate), and explain each ingredient and its benefits to the body.
Host a Healthy Potluck with Giveaways
Hosting a healthy potluck will encourage your kids to be open-minded about trying new and healthy foods.
Celebrate National Nutrition Month by inviting the whole family and having each member bring their favorite healthy dish.
Top tip: Give away goodie bags filled with healthy treats like trail mix or protein bars after your party.
You can even throw in items that will remind them of their switch to a healthier lifestyle, like custom silicone wristbands with health or fitness quotes.
Cook with Featured Foods or Vegetables
Teach your kids the versatility of healthy ingredients by cooking with featured foods or vegetables.
You can do this by selecting a healthy fruit or vegetable and making that the subject of your next meal.
For example, serve eggplant in different ways for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, or have a day devoted solely to showcasing fish dishes. Don’t forget to teach your kids the health benefits of each featured ingredient.
Top tip: Consider having other dishes served alongside your featured food to prevent your kids from getting tired of them.
Include Fun Nutrition Facts in Lunchboxes
Nutrition facts offer valuable information about how healthy food can be.
Teach your kids the importance of sizing up their food by including an educational note in their lunchboxes.
For example, if an orange is served alongside their lunch, add a note that says “This fruit will give you superpowers to fight the flu, thanks to Vitamin C!”
Go Out and Play
Aside from promoting a good diet, National Nutrition Month also stresses the importance of physical activity.
This March, encourage physical activity by teaching your children a new sport or have them engage in outdoor activities.
Conclusion
National Nutrition Month is a great time to teach your kids the lifelong benefits of keeping a healthy diet and proper exercise, but your efforts to educate shouldn’t be constrained to March only.
You can apply the tips above any time of the year, but starting early is essential.
Healthy eating habits are best taught during a child’s developmental stage, so they can keep the practice when they are older.