Feeding a family can be a challenge. Today, the food habits of children are influenced by friends, school, caregivers, media and marketing techniques as well as their families. This can make encouraging healthy choices for your kids all the more difficult. Below are a few strategies that can make things easier.

• Eat together as a family whenever possible. Kids that eat with their family tend to develop better overall eating habits. It’s also a chance to connect with your kids and bond as a family. Check the recipes listed on the Lilydale website for easy, delicious meal ideas.
  
• Include your kids in meal planning. Try to include you child’s favorite food along with the favorites of other family members. Including your kids in meal preparation can help teach them the necessary food skills for healthy cooking.
  
• Expose your kids to a variety of healthy foods. Choose food from the four (4) food groups in Canada’s Food Guide.
  
• At different ages, children may go through stages where they are reluctant to try new foods. Often, kids may need up to 15 to 20 “tastes” of a food before they accept it, so be patient.

Taste and difficulty chewing can turn children off eating meats. Poultry is a mild, easy to chew meat that kids love! Try making your own chicken or turkey strips to ensure your children receive a low fat, nutritious food that they will love! Try Crunchy Turkey Strips with Salsa Ranch Dip* served with homemade oven fries, a fruit salad, a glass of 1 % milk, then you have a meal that kids and kids at heart can’t resist! After all, most kids love finger foods!

If you struggle to get your kids eating fruits and vegetables, next time you grocery shop, let them choose one or two items that they would like to eat.

• Respect your child! It is the role of the parent to ensure healthy foods are offered.
• The parent determines when and where their kids are allowed to eat
• The child who decides how much food they eat and whether or not they wish to try a food.
• Be patient and a healthy role model by eating a variety of nutritious foods!
  

Younger children need smaller serving sizes than older children. They also may eat small amounts more often rather than three (3) larger meals and snacks. Be flexible and keep healthy foods on hand at all times for snacks!