Is healthy eating a problem in your home?

It can be difficult to encourage your partner and kids to make healthier choices.

But, having the right attitude can make a huge difference in how your family reacts, and subsequently whether they choose to eat healthy food, or not.

Here are 5 tips for getting your family to eat healthier:

#1 Ask them what they want
Find out what foods your family enjoys or what new recipes they would like to try, and then offer these often. If the suggestions are somewhat unhealthy, simply find out how to make a healthier version.

#2 Make gradual changes
Making small changes, one step at a time, is much more effective in the long run than trying to change everything at once.

#3 Make healthy food easily accessible
If chocolate chip cookies are the only ‘easy’ food available, that’s what they’re going to choose. So, if you want your family to eat healthy food make sure they have a supply of wholesome, ready-to-eat foods, for example:

Healthy granola bars

Fresh fruit salad

Frozen fruit, such as bananas, grapes or berries

Fresh fruit smoothies

Raw veg such as carrots, celery, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and red peppers served with reduced fat hummus, or peanut butter.

Mixed, unsalted nuts

#4 Subtly add healthier ingredients
Try these suggestions:

Add cinnamon, chopped apples, and raisins to oatmeal.

Puree vegetables, finely chop, or grate them to disguise in baked goods, curries, stews, sauces etc.

Choose whole grain breads, muffins, and pasta where possible.

Try using wild rice rather than white.

Add peas, beans and lentils to soups, stews, and curries.

Serve leaner meats such as turkey, chicken, beef, and fresh fish such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna regularly.

#5 Be their role model
You can have a huge impact on your partner and kids by simply following your own advice, but be careful not to aggravate them in the process! Leading by example, is much better than preaching at them constantly.