Eating healthy has always been recommended by experts. But while this advice seems to be too stressed enough, there are still people, families that don’t take it seriously or care less about what they put on their plates. Apart from filling up your stomach, healthful eating is critical for preventing diseases, building stronger bones, and improving mood and memory.
These are just a few reasons why promoting healthy eating habits is essential, especially for families. After all, our food is an important element for us to live a healthier and longer life. Not sure how to promote healthy eating to your whole family? Our practical tips below can help you out with that!
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Act on unhealthy eating habits
Many individuals often neglect the importance of doing something about their unhealthy eating habits. Before you start bringing on the healthiest meals on the table, pay attention first to your family member’s eating habits. Most of these unhealthy habits are obvious signs of eating disorders.
Among the common ones is anorexia nervosa, wherein an individual has very restricted eating patterns and has a great fear of gaining weight. There’s also the binge eating disorder with symptoms including lack of control on eating and consuming large amounts of food even when they don’t feel hungry. Watch out for the patterns and immediately seek professional treatment for binge eating disorder, anorexia, and other unhealthy eating habits.
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Serve more plant-based food
As you might already know, eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and legumes is an excellent way to get the nutrients and vitamins we need for a healthy and strong body. This is exactly why it’s essential to serve more plant-based foods at your family table, especially if you have little kids.
In general, these food options are high in fiber and protein. While it’s not necessarily important to eat plant-based choices every day and in every single meal, it best to gradually increase your intake. You can start by having a Meatless Monday with the family or gradually cutting down on meat consumption.
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Shop for in-season and local options
Buying in-season food options locally produced isn’t just helpful for the local farmers and producers in your community. It is also an amazing way for you to save money while making healthier choices. Foods harvested in local farms use less carbon footprint during production, and of course, they are guaranteed fresh. If you’re not aware of the in-season local food options in your area, be sure to do your research or visit your local market or farmers for better information.
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Cook and eat at home as a family
It has always been recommended that parents should involve their kids in cooking. This is a fantastic way for them to be exposed to healthy food options and eating habits. Some studies also show that kids are likely to eat more if they are involved in the meal’s preparation. At the same time, cooking with the children is also a perfect time to teach them about food safety. These can include not mixing ready-to-eat foods with ones that require cooking, washing fruits and veggies before eating, and washing their hands when preparing food.
What’s more, eating together isn’t just beneficial for promoting healthy eating habits to the kids, but also offers numerous mental and social benefits. Family mealtimes can make your kids feel secure and loved and encourage positive eating behavior, such as trying new foods and practicing good table manners.
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Properly store your food
If you want your family to have a healthier relationship with food, you should learn how to store food the right way. This simple act can reduce the food waste at your home and keep your food fresh for a longer period. The first thing to note is the food label and know the difference between ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ to ensure that you get to consume them before they begin to spoil.
Furthermore, it’s a common practice to bring older or quick-to-spoil items in front of your fridge or cabinets so you won’t forget to consume them. If your family is used to buying ready-to-eat produce, it’s best to keep them in plain sight as well. These include family-friendly veggies and fruits such as carrots, sugar snap peas, pears, apples, and bananas.
Making healthy food choices and practicing good eating habits can be your family’s strongest foundations for living a happier life. Not just in your physical health, but food can also impact your mental wellness, so make sure to make the healthiest choices for your loved ones. Strive for a healthy lifestyle today by following our simple tips!
