The sayings “Like mother, like daughter” is so true when it comes to eating habits!
How do you get your children to eat more fruits and vegetables? Simple. Eat more plant foods yourself!
According to a study conducted by researchers from the St. Louis University School of Public Health, when children make choices on what types of foods to eat, they choose what their parents would typically eat. The study included 1,306 parents enrolled in the national “Parents As Teachers” program. Just under half of the parents participated in the “High 5 for Kids” Program, whose goal is to increase education for both parents and children on proper nutrition. Methods taught included having the parent eat fruits and vegetables in front of their child, and then allowing the child to make a decision among several different fruit and vegetable options.
It was later found that the parents who participated in the program increased their daily consumption of fruits and vegetables considerably compared to those who did not. Also, the amount by which the parents increased their consumption directly correlated itself with how much their child’s intake increased. For every extra fruit or vegetable serving per day that the parent ate, their child ate an extra half serving!
The same effect didn’t occur for the overweight children, however. This is most likely due to being exposed to sweet, salty foods early on and getting used to the taste of these foods.
Since parents have complete control over their children’s food environment, it is important to expose them early on to a variety of healthy food choices. A great way to expose them to healthier options is to bring them along on your next trip to the Hub City Farmer’s Market! You could try making the trip to the market on Saturdays a family tradition that brings you closer and teaches your children a heatlhy way to purchase your groceries.
Full article found at Natural News
