Getting kids to eat what you know is healthy for them to eat is not always easy. They usually want to eat what tastes good,

but is not necessarily good for them, so as sweets, foods high in fats and salty snacks. Face it, we as adults do the same thing at times.

If your mealtimes are battle filled, here are a few tips to help you to convince your kids that healthy foods can taste good too.

In order to grow up to be healthy men and women, kids need good nutrition and a balanced diet. These tips will help you to entice your

kids from the smallest toddler to the pickiest teen to say yes to healthy foods.

 

* A variety of healthy foods and snacks in different shapes and colors are always good to serve to your kids. Making the kids meal interesting

and fun will definitely prevent your kids from getting bored easily. Remember kids really do like to try new, so make it exciting. Get creative

with cookie-cutters and you will find that your kids may surprise you at what they will eat.

* Always try to involve your kids with the process of shopping, preparing and serving food. Being a part in the food process gives the kids

ownership and they will be more likely to eat the food.

* Avoid the dreaded dinner table battles over food. Place the food in reach, make it as appealing as possible and watch your child try it.

Don't push or demand, just make the food available.

 

* Make your family meals a time of sharing and being able to bond with each other, as oppose to just plain eating. Family meals are times

when food brings you to the table and the chance to spend some quality time with each other, finding out about each other's day. While

seated around the family table the food is placed where everyone can be served. This way, eating becomes a slower paced affair rather

than the rushed on the go eating many do everyday at fast food restaurant drive-thru's. Sitting down together to eat in a relaxed atmosphere

is better on your digestion. Kids are more likely to try different foods when they see adults around them eating them.

Making these tips work for your family is easier than you think.

Kids actually enjoy the comfort of knowing when things happen so scheduling regular times for sit down

meals at home gives children predictability and reduces stress at meal times. Studies have shown that

children who take part in regular family meals are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables, are likely

to snack on healthier foods, and less likely to use unhealthy items such as smoking, drinking alcohol or

using marijuana. Family meals give kids the opportunity to try new foods, and to observe their parents

eating healthy foods. Teens may not like the family meal routine, especially if they are not used to it,

but ultimately they will like the fact that family mealtimes are a chance to seek advice and counsel from

parents without having to make a point of doing so, instead they can "innocently" ask a question or interject

a comment to get a parent's reaction at the table without being quite so obvious.

Family meals do not have to be just when you are around the family table at home, they can be around a

restaurant table, or a picnic table in your favorite park. Anywhere the kids can share a meal with the adults

in their life is a family meal. The main ingredient to a family meal is that your loved ones are gathered around

a table that is filled with good things to eat that is healthy for everyone to eat.