Eat your fruit and veggies!
Fruits and veggies contain so many nutrients that protect your health and fuel your bodies. Keep a variety of fruits and vegetables in the fridge, so everyone will eat more of these vitamin-packed foods. Try to buy locally grown and in-season fruits and veggies. And if fresh produce is unavailable, canned or frozen fruits and vegetables can be equally healthy and nutritious. Look for products with no added sugar and low sodium (salt). A colorful plate is a healthier plate
The more colour, the better! Let kids choose from a variety of red, green, orange, purple or white fruits and vegetables to mix up the colors on their plates and the nutrients in their bodies.
If you encourage your children to help with shopping and food preparation, they’ll get more excited about different choices. It’s more fun to eat the vegetables when you helped pick them and cut them up!
Think “veggie” all day long
Don’t just save vegetables for dinner. When kids are hungry, they’re more likely to try new things. And they will eat more healthy choices if you offer them. After school or naps is a great time to offer fruits and vegetables.
“I tried it and I don’t like it.”
Research shows kids need to try a new food five to 10 times before accepting it. So don’t give up! Keep offering different fruits and veggies. You don’t want to force them, but just ask them to taste it each time.
Did you know?
Research also shows that healthy eating helps children focus more on learning and school. The Manitoba School Nutrition Handbook is helping schools offer healthier choices to students – so the healthy choice is the easy choice.
Check out 5to10aday.com for more information on the benefits of different colored fruits and veggies.
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Disclaimer: Your health care provider knows you, your health history and the kinds of changes you can make to improve your health. This website is not intended to replace advice from your health provider.
