Going Green: Winning ways to teach kids about nutrition

Making eating healthy fun and interactive is the best way to change kids' diet habits for the better

From the LifeMinute Team

September 14, 2015

Sound like a tall order? Maybe, but you'll see your kids scarfing up a salad yet. Here are six ingenious rules for encouraging nutritional success according to the Executive Director for the Whole Kids Foundation, Nona Evans.

1. Eat A Rainbow of Color:

"Of course that comes from fresh fruits and vegetables. The micronutrients that gives food their color also nourish our bodies."

2. Eat Greens First:

"Greens are one of the most nutritious foods that we can eat. They pack more nutrition punch per bite than any other food."

3. Eat As Close To Nature As Possible:

"Pay attention to your food. Could what you're eating have grown out of the ground?"

4. Create A Salad Bar At Home:

"Pile a big mound of greens on your favorite cutting board and line it with bowls of colorful vegetables. Then challenge the whole family and have a 'Salad Selfie' contest. See who can construct the most beautiful or colorful salad."

5. Get Your Kids Involved:

"Turn that grocery store time into quality time. Give your kids a job. If there are five things on the list that they're in charge of, talk about how you choose the best broccoli or what you look for on the nutrition label. That kind of engagement really gives kids the power and the choice that we know works when it comes to getting them to eat healthy foods."

6. Go Picnic Style: Remember that kids have a short window to eat lunch at school so this really helps. We know kids love to dip. Hummus is a great choice. It's got a garbanzo-bean base; you're adding a little protein in. And then add in some diced ham or a handful of pepperoni. Easy for kids to eat, really engaging. And it really gives them a place to contribute and make choices about what they're eating.

All of these ideas can be found at wholekidsfoundation.org in the Kids Club section. Also check out wholefoodsmarket.com. Five years ago Whole Foods Market founded Whole Kids Foundation to help improve the nutrition for every child. There are loads of recipes and great tips there.

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