My kids subscribe to a special diet. I regretfully call it the chicken nuggets and french fries diet.
I feel like we do everything right, but they are at a stage where they want to eat all the world’s fake food, and they refuse to eat anything else.
I jest. There are plenty of things they eat besides chicken nuggets and french fries (mostly because I only allow them to eat those once a day, and not even every day).
During this season of their life, I have a few strategies to keep them healthy.
- Feed them L’il Critters Gummy Vites Complete. Allie’s favorite line is 2 is ‘nough. She knows she’s allowed to have 2 gummy bear vitamins per day. They aren’t intended to treat or cure any disease, but they add healthy nutrients that they otherwise might not get. The best thing is that they’re real gummies – no water or pills are required for them to get a healthy dose of essential nutrients.
- Keep them active. Kids who get lots of exercise get hungrier than kids who lay around. Hungry kids are more likely to eat whatever healthy food you put in front of them.
- Offer lots of low-fat dairy products. My kids love yogurt mixed with fruit, and they love milk and cheese. Go for lower fat options when you can, but dairy is an important part of a healthy diet.
- Start small. My kids love fruit, so I offer them fruit with every meal. It’s a move in the right direction.
- Offer healthy food at every meal. In addition to fruit, I offer them a small amount of vegetables at most meals. It might be a few broccoli florets or some carrot sticks, but it’s on their plate.
- Forget the power struggles. Some kids won’t eat the healthy foods simply because you say they have to. Put the healthy foods on their plates, but don’t tell them that they have to eat it. Maybe they’ll eat it; maybe they won’t eat it. Pretend you don’t care one way or the other.
- Lose the junk food. If there are no chicken nuggets to eat, and they are hungry, your kids are going to eat whatever you put in front of them.
- Hide the vegetables. The goal is to get some veggies into their bellies, right? Ultimately, I want them to eat vegetables because they like them, which is why I put a small amount on their plates. However, I am not above hiding veggies to trick them into eating them. Minced onion cooked with ground beef or shredded chicken. Pureed squash mixed with spaghetti sauce or the cheese sauce in mac and cheese. Pureed soups (like this cheesy cauliflower soup.) Brands of juice that include veggies in the fruit juice. I try all sorts of things. The trick is not to put in so much that they notice, but enough that they get a healthy serving.
Made in the USA from natural fruit flavors, L’il Critters gummy vitamins offer a robust portfolio of vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements to help meet your kids’ health needs. The makers of L’il Critters also offer a grown-up version called vitafusion available in a variety of blends for different stages of life. L’il Critters and vitafusion gummy vitamins are available at club stores, mass merchandisers, drug and grocery stores nationwide including: Costco, Walmart, Target and Walgreens. More information can be found at www.gummyvites.com.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
I received free product and payment for this sponsored post. All opinions are 100% mine.
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Mami2jcn says
We take multivitamins, drink plenty of water, and get daily exercise.
Mami2jcn says
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/476716046603141120
Elena says
we eat lots of fruits and veggies daily to stay healthy
Elena says
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/476733054455537664
courtney b says
we go to the gym everyday, and we put the kids in the kid gym where they get to work out and have fun !:) works perfectly every work week day
courtney b says
tweet
https://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/476753838255267840
Denise L says
We cook a lot! That helps us avoid all the harmful ingredients in processed food and allow us to pack tons of fruits and veggies into our daily diet.
Denise L says
tweeted – https://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/476764391447097345
Lauren says
One way I try to incorporate healthy foods into my son’s life is to let him pick out a healthy recipe for us to make. He loves to cook, so he is more likely to try and eat foods that he has helped prepare!
Jessica To says
I try to offer up fruits and veggies in different ways and with ranch dressing!
Erika says
My family and I are trying to eat less processed food and more good, natural stuff.
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
Nicole Dz says
We participate in outdoor activities as a family like sports. We also eat and maintain healthy diet. And when cooking at home I sneak in the veggies into recipes without the kids suspecting a thing. We make most of our meals in our home, and limit takeout.
Nicole Dz says
tweeted- https://twitter.com/lil_lady_dz/status/476937120783663105
amy pugmire says
we stay very hydrated and take our daily vitamins.
amy pugmire says
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/476965846439305217
Sarah says
You know how they say you shouldn’t snack in front of the TV? I use that to my advantage and give them bowls of baby carrots, cucumbers, etc. which they mindlessly eat while they watch.
mysweetiepiepie says
We’ve planted a veggie garden.
Lauren E. says
We go hiking, and try to include green leafy veggies at every dinner.
Kristen says
Eat more whole foods (less processed) and exercise regularly.
Kristen says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/477505183312650240
Stacey b says
We try to stay healthy by taking a daily multi vitamin and eating right.
Stacey b says
https://twitter.com/MomOF2Boysz/status/477588280603443201 tweeted
Elle says
My tips are to stay active, take a daily vitamin, eat whole foods and lots of veggies/fruits and always make sure to wash your hands.
Elle says
https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/477841511057727488
Susan Smith says
We take a multivitamins vitamin, drink plenty of water, eat lots of fruits and vegetables and get daily exercise.
Susan Smith says
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/477991482159157248
Amy @ The Nifty Foodie says
We make sure to exercise 4-5x/week!
Kjerstina says
Dr. Christopher’s kid-e-mins are an awesome whole food liquid vitamin full of amazing greens that I would never get my toddler to eat, like kale, spirulina, and many more. I mix it in his milk and juice, and sometimes mine 🙂
Jessie C. says
We exercise daily and cook from scratch to stay healthy.
Jessie C. says
-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/478724412967882752
Sally Wolfe says
Great ideas! I found an organic chocolate flavored drink box for kids made w all natural protein/vege/fruit blend, and they love it. Nice to find ways to get good things in their belly! They still get vitamin gummies too!
Darcey says
I make all of our food and have been working to get all the processed food out of our diet. We have a couple acres of land and the kids are outside all the time. My boys love baseball and have been playing soccer also.
One Frugal Girl says
Keeping a whole lot of clean, freshly cut veggies and fruits in the fridge.
D Schmidt says
We try to maintain a healthy lifestyle by drinking lots of water, taking regular exercise and being careful about what we eat. We also include multi vitamins of course 🙂
D Schmidt says
Tweeted for a second entry
https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/479678366660845568
Melissa M says
I sneak veggies into my families dinners.
Melissa M says
https://twitter.com/618mom23boys/status/483088460593373185
Rebecca Graham says
I try to work out every other day and walk everyday.
Debbie B says
I take vitamins everyday and try to watch what I eat
Tina M says
we eat lots of veggies and we don’t drink soda.
Tina M says
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/487011806053818368
Kerry says
I do everything you do too! I always make sure they have either fruit or veggies with each meal.
Kerry says
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/488451852346744834
Gina M says
We drink lots of water and exercise daily.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Gina M says
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/489958665513103360
shelly peterson says
we eat more fruit, veggies, healthy snacks and drink lots of water. we try to go on daily walks.
cshell090869 at aol dot com
shelly peterson says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/cshell202/status/489999026922590210
Norma says
I drink lots of water and eat balanced meals.
LAmusing says
I make sure we eat fresh fruits and veggies every day.
Krista M. says
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/CMandKW/status/490490442010488833
Krista M. says
Take lots of walks and drink lots of water! Keep healthy food in the house because if it’s there– you eat it. 🙂
Neiddy says
My strategies to keep healthy are: Take a multivitamins, Eat balanced meals, Stay active and drink plenty of water
Neiddy says
shared on twitter for my second entry -https://twitter.com/neiddy_ruiz/status/491624412882272256
Erica Best says
alot of water and I love that women ultra mega gnc
Erica Best says
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/491629273958998016
WHITNEY says
I drink eight glasses of water each day
WHITNEY says
https://twitter.com/electricstar/status/492477447221174272
Debbie B says
i tweeted : https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/492626282216042497
Lisa Brown says
eating as good as we can and getting outside more to exercise
Lisa Brown says
https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/493430783462633472
steve weber says
We eat plenty of fruits and vegetables during the week.
Janice Cooper says
We drink lots of water, eat fruit for dessert and try to walk daily
Janice Cooper says
https://twitter.com/disneyfan40/status/493522723381866496
Dandi D says
I try to make sure we get leafy greens and lean proteins at most meals, and we take a family walk every night.
Dandi D says
I shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dandidaffyhill/status/494309751157571584
Amanda Sakovitz says
i try to exercise daily
Amanda Sakovitz says
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/494842875591409664
Thomas Murphy says
I exercise and eat healthy to keep healthy.
Thomas Murphy says
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/494919049201975296
Sarah L says
I swim 3 times a week and love doing it.
Thanks for the contest.
Sarah L says
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/494952599959764993
Tabathia B says
plenty of fresh fruit and water
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/494991730253385729
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
maria cantu says
We try to eat healthy and exercise daily and drink lots of water.
Angel Jacklyn says
ALL I CAN SAY IS I AT LEAST TAKE MY DAILY VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT! HAHA
Angel Jacklyn says
TWITTERED AS WELL! https://twitter.com/kytah00/status/518215049333071872