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8 Tips To Get Your Kids Eating Healthier

1. Introduce new items gradually: Offer your child one new food to try along side the familiar ones.  This way the change will have less of an impact.
   
   
2. Offer a choice: If you struggle to get your child to eat salad, try putting each of the ingredients into a separate bowl (like a salad bar) and let them choose which items they want in their salad.  This idea would also work with wraps or burritos - offering a variety of healthy options to fill it with. By offering you child a choice, they will be more likely to eat their creation.
   
   
3. Make your child a sous chef:  Give your child tasks in the kitchen that are age appropriate.  Simple tasks such as peeling, washing or mixing as well as chopping for older kids.  Getting your child involved in the meal preparation will make them more open to tasting the food they have prepared.
   
   
4. Avoid bribes: Using food such as sweets as a reward for your child can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food that often continues into adulthood.
   
   
5. Don't force it:  Forcing your child to finish their food teaches your child to override their body's signals and ability to recognize when they are hungry or full. 
   
   
6. Start early:  The older your child is, the harder it can be to introduce new, healthier foods.
   
   
7. Lead by example:  You cannot expect your child to eat healthy food if you don't, so be a model for healthy eating.
   
   
8. Don't give up: Continue offering healthy foods to your child, even if they initially resist.  Give that particular food a break and re-introduce it at a later time.  Just because your child hated broccoli at 9 months old, does not mean they will always hate it.