Getting kids to eat healthy...and like it

What's the best way to teach our kids healthy eating habits? 

Kids are notoriously fussy eaters and seem to naturally gravitate towards pop-tarts and spagettios and away from broccoli and salmon. No-one benefits when you turn the family dinner table into a battle zone. But instilling good eating habits and a taste for healthy foods requires a concerted effort: A lot can be gained by requiring kids to try a few bites of unfamiliar foods or to eat their vegetables before getting dessert.

Setting a good example is important too. You can't expect your kids to believe you when you tell them that breakfast is the most important meal of the day when they see you heading off to work on a cup of coffee and three nilla wafers.

Real Food for Healthy Kids
Authors Tanya Wenman Steele and Tracey Seaman address the particular challenges of raising healthy eaters in their new book, Real Food for Healthy Kids.  The book stresses moderation and a healthy approach to eating with strategies that teach kids about portion control, balance, and an appreciationg for all types of food--including vegetables!

As parents themselves, Steele and Seaman know the realities of the underage appetite, and as food professionals, they know their way around the kitchen as well.  In addition to nutrition guides and menu planning tips, the book includes 200 recipes that kids of all ages will enjoy--including options for vegetarians and kids with food sensitivies.

Check out some of their kid-friendly recipes on the book's website or order your copy of Real Food for Healthy Kids.