ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Getting kids to eat healthy has never been easy. But now, a new approach teaches children to listen to their bodies and make better choices.
Not so healthy… and statistics are showing American kids are paying the price! Nearly one in three kids in the U.S. are overweight or obese. So how can you help your children make better choices? Try intuitive eating. It’s a non-diet approach that teaches kids to listen to their bodies and learn what it feels like to be hungry or full.
Misiti Neal told Ivanhoe, “I think we need to quit telling our kids that this is healthy. I think we need to tell them that this is food, and this is what we’re eating, and it’s great!”
The first step: don’t use food rules. For instance, avoid saying “one more bite.” Let them decide when they feel full. But if you know they’re just trying to get out of eating, tell them you’ll put the plate aside, so they can finish it later. Also don’t use food as a reward. This can lead to unhealthy behaviors later on.
Offer a variety of foods. Try letting your kids serve themselves, so they decide how much is on their plates. And – be a good role model. Make sure your child sees you making healthy choices. With ways to raise an intuitive eater.
A recent study found 75 percent of adults who identified as picky eaters said their patterns started in childhood.
