We all know how difficult it is to eat right. The kids run around all over the place making it hard to spy on what they are eating. Half the time what we end up eating is just not that nutritious. I can't spy on them all of the time so I do what I can by following a few simple loose rules.
The other problem is that kids do not necessarily like healthy foods. So I take care to take baby steps and introduce them to those nutritious foods slowly as to not to shock them.
I guess it is all just a game about testing, researching and learning all aspects of diet and nutrition and then troubleshooting what your kids really want to eat. I have been surprised several times when my kids have actually liked a food I never dreamed they would end up enjoying – like mashed up squash with cinnamon which is jam pack full of Vitamin A.
For one thing I do know it is important to avoid eating crap. To me crap is anything with refined sugar, sodium or gluten in it. I also reduce the crab load whenever I can. I will give my kids cucumber slices with salt rather than potato chips with salt to slake their cravings. Cucumber slices are a negative calorie food.
I also think it is absolutely crucial to drink plenty of water. It is like the lube that greases your wheels so you can keep going… It also helps elimination and keeps the kids hydrated. I give them lots of limeade and lemonade and in the summer make sure they are well hydrated by feeding them popsicles.
Of course it goes without saying that in order to remain healthy that my kids must dump all fast foods. This means eating whole unprocessed foods wherever possible. My kids are better off eating shepherd's pie with a bit of grated cheddar cheese on top rather than a cheeseburger from MacDonald's!
I also try to eliminate as many toxins from our daily life as possible. There are lots of toxins in food additives and preservatives, dry cleaners, pesticides and chemicals. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, the average human body contains over 116 different types of toxins a day!
I also make sure my kids are not stressed when they are eating even if it means filling them up in front of the television set. At least if they are sitting in front of the television they are a little more relaxed than standing up and snacking with the refrigerator door open. This is just better for their digestion which of course helps them absorb nutrients more efficiently.