Does your family struggle with eating healthy? Do your kids complain when you make or offer veggies for dinner? How can you get your kids to eat healthier? March is National Nutrition Month and an opportunity to get your family to eat healthy.  Experts say it takes 21 days of the same activity to make it a habit. Spend the month of March eating healthy and you’ll be on the right track to living a healthier lifestyle as a family.

There’s no question that it can be hard to eat healthy as a family. You’re inundated with commercials for fast food or frozen meals to make busy lives easier. While these options are easier, they are not ideal for every day meals. Instead, practice good daily habits and make small changes to your daily routine and you’ll soon find that eating healthy can be a natural part of your family’s routine. If you have been meaning to get your family to start eating healthier then be sure to read my easy tips below!

5 Tips to Get Your Kids to Eat Healthy

1.  SWAP OUT JUNK FOOD FOR HEALTHY FOODS

Twinkies, candy, donuts, and all those unhealthy processed snacks should be eliminated from your weekly shopping list. Save those for special occasions. Opt for healthier options like pretzels, veggie sticks, granola bars, fruits. By not having those unhealthy snacks around and instead having healthier options, you make it easier for your family to make healthy choices. Out of sight, out of mind.

2.  MAKE IT AT HOME

Everyone can still enjoy kid favorites like pizza and cookies – just make it at home to control the amount of sugar, salt, and processed ingredients. Try avoiding frozen foods (plain frozen veggies are OK though) that are often loaded with preservatives and salt. Also, avoid boxed sweets that are full of chemicals. Try making banana bread with real bananas, add less sugar and use whole wheat flour. A family favorite around here!

3. IT’S NOT WHAT YOU’RE EATING, IT’S WHAT YOU’RE NOT EATING

Add chopped, fresh veggies to your homemade pizza and sneak veggies in your pasta sauce. Make fruit salads or snacks and place them in front of your children. When my children were young, I didn’t ask if they wanted a fruit salad, I just placed one in front of them and they would start nibbling.

4. SET AN EXAMPLE FOR YOUR CHILDREN

You can’t expect your children to eat healthy if you don’t. Set a good example by opting for a side salad instead of the fries if you order a burger on cheat night. Eating healthier is about a good balance if you want to make this a life style and not a fad.

5. MAKE A HEALTHY SMOOTHIE

Smoothies are great ways to get extra vitamins from fruits and veggies. I buy fresh fruits and bananas and encourage kids to get creative with making smoothies. I don’t add sugar, honey, or other sweeteners but instead add sweet fruits like pineapples, mangoes, or dates.  My kids love a good smoothie! Try my Banana and Peanut Butter Smoothie recipe loaded with protein and calcium.