As we’re sure you know, one of the main challenges for mums is getting our broods to eat healthy, nutritious food.
 
And while we do our best to fill the house with fruit, veggies and wholegrains, ensuring they actually eat it is a whole different ball game.
 
Simply putting the food in front of them isn’t always the most effective way to make this happen. Which is why we need to rope in clever tactics like these:
 
1. Don’t tell them it’s healthy
 
This might sound counter-productive, but knowing a food is ‘healthy’ isn’t always an incentive for kids. You don’t have to actively avoid the word ‘healthy’, but don’t rely on it to get them to eat up either. Instead use language like, “Oh this is delicious!” or, “I always feel so happy and strong after eating this, don’t you?” When kids hear us talk about vegetables with obvious pleasure, they assimilate this positivity, and will be more likely to eat them too. 
 
 
2. Get kids involved in the cooking
 
Through sheer pride the kids will wolf down whatever they make – so a clever tip is get them involved in making the meals. And if they’re too young to help in the kitchen, a good way to include them is to enlist their help when choosing food in the supermarket. Say stuff like, “Do you think this pepper is big enough for our dinner?” or “Can you help mum pick the BEST head of broccoli?”

3. Make food fun
Adding an unexpected element to meals can make children much more interested. A great idea to make the likes of fruit, wholemeal toast and porridge fun for kids is to drizzle with some of Boyne Valley’s brand new fruit flavoured honey. These easy, squeezy bottles come in delicious Strawberry and Raspberry varieties, and are made with natural fruit flavours, and no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. Kids will love opening the packs and squeezing out the yummy goodness!
 
 
4. Embrace dips
 
A brilliant way to get kids to eat fresh, raw vegetables is to serve them with a selection of healthy dips, like homemade guacamole, light cream cheese or salsa. A plastic dip platter is an inexpensive investment – kids will love the look of the chopped bright vegetables, while they’ll find the choice of dips a great novelty. Oh, and this is also a fantastic swap for sweets and crisps while watching a movie.
 
5. Leave fruit around the house
 
OK, we’re not suggesting you leave mandarins in the hot press – more that if there are bowls of fruit here and there, like on the coffee table in front of the TV and on the kitchen table, they’ll be much more likely to eat up those grapes, apples and bananas without thinking about it.
 
 
6. Connect the food with things they care about
 
If your child is into gymnastics, explain how the food will give them strength and energy; if they’re soccer mad, show them how the chicken or vegetables they’re eating will feed their muscles. This will give them a better understanding of how the food they eat actually helps them in their everyday life.

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