Healthy Choices

Now that you’re eating better and making healthier choices, are you finding it easier or harder to get your family to do the same? Even with a fridge and pantry full of nutrient-dense and healthy foods, I still struggle to get my kids to make the best choices when it comes to food. At least once a day I hear, “Mom, there’s nothing to eat!” So instead of ticking off my list of foods that they can choose from and getting a “no” to each one, I’ve started filling the cups of a large muffin tin (6 cups) with delicious and healthy snack options and placing it in front of them to make their own yummy choice. I’ve noticed that with this simple change, they’re filling up on the good stuff more often when they need a snack while doing their homework or enjoying a movie. Remember to be sensitive to foods that are more age-specific than others (like foods the little ones can choke on), but try some of these ideas for starters:

• carrot sticks
• celery
• berries (all kinds)
• grapes
• crackers
• cheese sticks
• apple slices
• cucumber slices
• yogurt
• popcorn
• broccoli florets
• beef jerky
• cereal
• nuts
• banana chunks
• peanut butter on a spoon

Test this out with your kids or grandkids this week to begin the journey of a lifestyle change that involves the entire family. Trish Allen, FAVAO Trainer