Getting kids to eat healthy
- Thread starter trev
- Start date
mas cambios
Active Member
Re: Getting kids to eat healthy
I think it's a case of how old the kids are, the younger they are then the easiest it should be to introduce healthier food.
For under 10's then you could try making a game of it, sort of like who wants to try a new food today. Also, make it interesting if possible.
For older kids, then it can be a whole different battle but at least you can reason with them (or try!). Fruit can be introduced as smoothies (quick and easy to make) and you need to find recipes that introduce certain foods as part of the whole dish, not just the main ingredient. For example, pasta with broccoli and chicken in a orange and mustard sauce. Quick and easy to prepare and it adds broccoli into the menu without making it the focus.
Also, no matter what the age get them involved in the preparation and the cooking process.
I think it's a case of how old the kids are, the younger they are then the easiest it should be to introduce healthier food.
For under 10's then you could try making a game of it, sort of like who wants to try a new food today. Also, make it interesting if possible.
For older kids, then it can be a whole different battle but at least you can reason with them (or try!). Fruit can be introduced as smoothies (quick and easy to make) and you need to find recipes that introduce certain foods as part of the whole dish, not just the main ingredient. For example, pasta with broccoli and chicken in a orange and mustard sauce. Quick and easy to prepare and it adds broccoli into the menu without making it the focus.
Also, no matter what the age get them involved in the preparation and the cooking process.
someblokecalleddave
Well-Known Member
Re: Getting kids to eat healthy
With kids myself, I reckon if you don't get to 'em before they're 7 you've got your work cut out. If you've got babies and you want to set them up for life it's easy. There's a good book by a woman called Annabella Carmel (I think) and she's got hundreds of ideas about starting them off with the right stuff.
I actually introduced raw garlic to my boys when they were a matter of months old, tiny little bits just to introduce the idea of extreme taste, so that when they then were given lightly cooked vegatables - stuff most kids hate - brocolli, carrots, cabbage, cougettes etc they sudddenly tasted as though they were the equivalent of mars bars in comparison!
But it is difficult - our undoing was their grandparents "Oh go on give the kids a treat - we never had sweets when we were kids after the war" blah blah blah. Then they introduce the idea of sweets and chocolate and that undoes all your good work. It gets more and more difficult as they get older, but if you start them off young it gives them a appreciation of a variety of foods and my kids eat 98% of whats put in front of them willingly. We never force them to eat any of it and meals are at regular times and served at the table and we eat as a family. Additionally they don't get choices - that's a bad mistake to make and they're involved in the cooking of it and preparing of it. But having been introduced to the bad stuff they will always at their current ages 6 and 9 opt for the bad stuff, unfortunately it's instinctive you've only got to watch documentaries about tribes that live nomadic non western lifestyles and you'll see that they'll climb 200' trees with no ropes and get stung to death just in order to collect honey and experience sugar!
I think beyond the age of 7 the decision is an internal decision for the kids to make themselves, you can only offer advice and guidance and maybe deomstrate the consequences of a bad diet, but you are working against the whole world it seems? It's not an easy thing to do once the horse has bolted.
My bottom line would be - it's you that buys the food as a parent, if there's no crap in the larder or fridge, they're not going to be able to eat it anyway. If they turn down the options you offer - that's only ever going to go on for 24 hours and then they'll eat anything you give em!
With kids myself, I reckon if you don't get to 'em before they're 7 you've got your work cut out. If you've got babies and you want to set them up for life it's easy. There's a good book by a woman called Annabella Carmel (I think) and she's got hundreds of ideas about starting them off with the right stuff.
I actually introduced raw garlic to my boys when they were a matter of months old, tiny little bits just to introduce the idea of extreme taste, so that when they then were given lightly cooked vegatables - stuff most kids hate - brocolli, carrots, cabbage, cougettes etc they sudddenly tasted as though they were the equivalent of mars bars in comparison!
But it is difficult - our undoing was their grandparents "Oh go on give the kids a treat - we never had sweets when we were kids after the war" blah blah blah. Then they introduce the idea of sweets and chocolate and that undoes all your good work. It gets more and more difficult as they get older, but if you start them off young it gives them a appreciation of a variety of foods and my kids eat 98% of whats put in front of them willingly. We never force them to eat any of it and meals are at regular times and served at the table and we eat as a family. Additionally they don't get choices - that's a bad mistake to make and they're involved in the cooking of it and preparing of it. But having been introduced to the bad stuff they will always at their current ages 6 and 9 opt for the bad stuff, unfortunately it's instinctive you've only got to watch documentaries about tribes that live nomadic non western lifestyles and you'll see that they'll climb 200' trees with no ropes and get stung to death just in order to collect honey and experience sugar!
I think beyond the age of 7 the decision is an internal decision for the kids to make themselves, you can only offer advice and guidance and maybe deomstrate the consequences of a bad diet, but you are working against the whole world it seems? It's not an easy thing to do once the horse has bolted.
My bottom line would be - it's you that buys the food as a parent, if there's no crap in the larder or fridge, they're not going to be able to eat it anyway. If they turn down the options you offer - that's only ever going to go on for 24 hours and then they'll eat anything you give em!
Re: Getting kids to eat healthy
Hi Trev,
Children of a certain age must want to change their eating habits or you will not get anywhere very fast.
Rather than forcing them, it is really down to education and self awareness. For instance, if you have a child interested in sport, it would be easy to get them to understand how much more effective they would be if their eating habits were better. Not just for reducing weight but the body needs certain nutrients, of certain quantities, at certain times or it cannot work properly. A bit like a car, try putting unleaded in a diesel car and see what happens! Would anybody, knowingly, do this? I don't think so but what is more valuable to you, your car or your body? Actually, I could write a thesis on this analogy but I'll save you that :laugh:
I would not push salads if the child does not like salads; I'm not that fond of them myself unless they have lots of grated carrots and beetroot in it. The problem with most dressings is, you might just as well have eaten a plate of chicken nuggets and chips with all that fat!
The most important thing is getting the balance right. If your question was with Charlie in mind, get him to write a food diary for me. Each day for seven 'typical' days, get him to write everything he eats and drinks, what time and how he felt after he ate/drank it. Get him to email or post it to me and I shall let him know what he must change and why. It's the 'why' that is important. Children these days need to know why they must do things; gone are the days when parents spoke and children followed
When the weather improves, I must get you and Charlie together with thatblokecalleddave. I heard a little rumour that he is a spin bowler
Are you running winter nets down there at the moment?
Hi Trev,
Children of a certain age must want to change their eating habits or you will not get anywhere very fast.
Rather than forcing them, it is really down to education and self awareness. For instance, if you have a child interested in sport, it would be easy to get them to understand how much more effective they would be if their eating habits were better. Not just for reducing weight but the body needs certain nutrients, of certain quantities, at certain times or it cannot work properly. A bit like a car, try putting unleaded in a diesel car and see what happens! Would anybody, knowingly, do this? I don't think so but what is more valuable to you, your car or your body? Actually, I could write a thesis on this analogy but I'll save you that :laugh:
I would not push salads if the child does not like salads; I'm not that fond of them myself unless they have lots of grated carrots and beetroot in it. The problem with most dressings is, you might just as well have eaten a plate of chicken nuggets and chips with all that fat!
The most important thing is getting the balance right. If your question was with Charlie in mind, get him to write a food diary for me. Each day for seven 'typical' days, get him to write everything he eats and drinks, what time and how he felt after he ate/drank it. Get him to email or post it to me and I shall let him know what he must change and why. It's the 'why' that is important. Children these days need to know why they must do things; gone are the days when parents spoke and children followed
When the weather improves, I must get you and Charlie together with thatblokecalleddave. I heard a little rumour that he is a spin bowler
Are you running winter nets down there at the moment?
someblokecalleddave
Well-Known Member
Re: Getting kids to eat healthy
I liked Jonesy's big M idea - we used to say that when the Ice Cream man had his bell ringing it meant that he'd run out of Ice Cream, I think it worked up until they were about 5!
I liked Jonesy's big M idea - we used to say that when the Ice Cream man had his bell ringing it meant that he'd run out of Ice Cream, I think it worked up until they were about 5!
someblokecalleddave
Well-Known Member
Re: Getting kids to eat healthy
My wife's been doing the Jamie Oliver thing at one of the local schools and her boss is kind of getting the idea. We have these brilliant soups at the weekends that are made of loads of different vegatables and one of them is really tomato heavy. My wife had this idea that you might be able to get kids to eat loads of different veggies made up of version of the tomato soup but with Brocolli, garlic and loads of other things but with limited water and then use it as the tomato base for a home made pizza. As long as the Tomato is the dominant flavour no-one notices that it's full of other good stuff and then you bung on the toppings of your choice but without the salt and garbage they put in shop bought pizzas. Making pizzas is so easy and the kids love helping and they taste so much better than anything you can buy in any shop.
My wife's been doing the Jamie Oliver thing at one of the local schools and her boss is kind of getting the idea. We have these brilliant soups at the weekends that are made of loads of different vegatables and one of them is really tomato heavy. My wife had this idea that you might be able to get kids to eat loads of different veggies made up of version of the tomato soup but with Brocolli, garlic and loads of other things but with limited water and then use it as the tomato base for a home made pizza. As long as the Tomato is the dominant flavour no-one notices that it's full of other good stuff and then you bung on the toppings of your choice but without the salt and garbage they put in shop bought pizzas. Making pizzas is so easy and the kids love helping and they taste so much better than anything you can buy in any shop.
someblokecalleddave
Well-Known Member
Re: Getting kids to eat healthy
As Dave says lead by example and keep it up, it's a drip drip drip affect. But I must admit though chocolate - I just can't give that up!
As Dave says lead by example and keep it up, it's a drip drip drip affect. But I must admit though chocolate - I just can't give that up!
Jelly Beanz
New Member
Re: Getting kids to eat healthy
I think eating as a family is a big deal. If they see you eating it, then they're more likely to eat it. Plus, you can't really expect them to eat what you're not eating yourself.
EDIT: I like the idea of the soup. When I was about 8 my fav food was lentil soup
I think eating as a family is a big deal. If they see you eating it, then they're more likely to eat it. Plus, you can't really expect them to eat what you're not eating yourself.
EDIT: I like the idea of the soup. When I was about 8 my fav food was lentil soup
someblokecalleddave
Well-Known Member
Re: Getting kids to eat healthy
Old Skool bread and dripping - man I have cravings for that, but it is instant death though so I never do it :laugh:
Old Skool bread and dripping - man I have cravings for that, but it is instant death though so I never do it :laugh:
someblokecalleddave
Well-Known Member
Re: Getting kids to eat healthy
Yeah we do the soup in order to get rid of all the bits left in the fridge, it uses it all up and it's lovely and you can do so many variations - bung a bit of lean bacon in there, or some bits of potatoes or chicken left over from another meal the night before - that kind of stuff.
Yeah we do the soup in order to get rid of all the bits left in the fridge, it uses it all up and it's lovely and you can do so many variations - bung a bit of lean bacon in there, or some bits of potatoes or chicken left over from another meal the night before - that kind of stuff.
mas cambios
Active Member
Re: Getting kids to eat healthy
The pizza one is a great idea, not least as they cost about a 3rd of the price of takeaway ones. A good home made pizza with fresh toppings is hard to beat - all I need is a stone oven and I'd be well away.
someblokecalleddave said:
The pizza one is a great idea, not least as they cost about a 3rd of the price of takeaway ones. A good home made pizza with fresh toppings is hard to beat - all I need is a stone oven and I'd be well away.
Re: Getting kids to eat healthy
Hi liz thanks for all your advice I am helping out with nets at Chelmsford at the moment would be great to get young charlie to meet up with thatblokedave I am sure he realises he needs to experiment with his food and eat healthier problem is when Nan or Mum buys things that are to tempting
Thanks again for all your help
Liz Ward said:Hi Trev,
Children of a certain age must want to change their eating habits or you will not get anywhere very fast.
Rather than forcing them, it is really down to education and self awareness. For instance, if you have a child interested in sport, it would be easy to get them to understand how much more effective they would be if their eating habits were better. Not just for reducing weight but the body needs certain nutrients, of certain quantities, at certain times or it cannot work properly. A bit like a car, try putting unleaded in a diesel car and see what happens! Would anybody, knowingly, do this? I don't think so but what is more valuable to you, your car or your body? Actually, I could write a thesis on this analogy but I'll save you that :laugh:
I would not push salads if the child does not like salads; I'm not that fond of them myself unless they have lots of grated carrots and beetroot in it. The problem with most dressings is, you might just as well have eaten a plate of chicken nuggets and chips with all that fat!
The most important thing is getting the balance right. If your question was with Charlie in mind, get him to write a food diary for me. Each day for seven 'typical' days, get him to write everything he eats and drinks, what time and how he felt after he ate/drank it. Get him to email or post it to me and I shall let him know what he must change and why. It's the 'why' that is important. Children these days need to know why they must do things; gone are the days when parents spoke and children followed
When the weather improves, I must get you and Charlie together with thatblokecalleddave. I heard a little rumour that he is a spin bowler
Hi liz thanks for all your advice I am helping out with nets at Chelmsford at the moment would be great to get young charlie to meet up with thatblokedave I am sure he realises he needs to experiment with his food and eat healthier problem is when Nan or Mum buys things that are to tempting
Thanks again for all your help
Re: Getting kids to eat healthy
Thanks everyone
For all your advice I understand I am not in for an easy ride as my son is 11 loves his cricket and as a real talent. I know he want to play at a very high level. He will need to realise he needs to eat healthier he does eat fruit I'm sure with your help we can get there
Thanks everyone
For all your advice I understand I am not in for an easy ride as my son is 11 loves his cricket and as a real talent. I know he want to play at a very high level. He will need to realise he needs to eat healthier he does eat fruit I'm sure with your help we can get there