This is a tremendous article from Robb Wolf about integrating a Paleo diet into children’s lives! When you read this you will see how easy this can really be! Lets stop the obesity epidemic in kids and take responsibility as parents to educate ourselves and begin to live a healthier lifestyle!
You will see from this article that it is a lot easier than we make seem, and we will have happier healthier kids because of it!
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Paleo RD Tip of the Week By Amy Kubal, MS, RD
But mom! Billy gets to eat McDonalds! It’s often difficult for kids to understand why they can’t be like “everyone else”. They see their friend’s parents serving pasta, pizza, macaroni and cheese, etc. and that’s what they want too. Unfortunately they are too young to completely understand the long-term benefits of paleo eating and are more interested in the ‘instant gratification’ that comes with Twinkies and French fries. Their taste buds have been conditioned to like sweet, creamy, carbohydrate rich foods. In order to make the transition to paleo easier: Let your children play an active part in the selection and preparation of their food and meals. Take them to the store with you and let them choose a new fruit or vegetable to try. Plan menus and meals together – provide them with two or three meal options for each day and let them take turns deciding what will get put on the menu. Let them look at paleo cookbooks and choose new recipes to try. In the kitchen have them help wash and chop vegetables, measure ingredients, toss salads, mix ingredients, etc. Let them contribute to the meal – this will increase the chances that they will try the food. Also it may be helpful to incorporate one or two non-paleo meals each week. If they know that it’s okay to still have pizza once and a while and they can see it coming on the week’s menu it may prevent some of the rebellion. When you do let the kids indulge do your best to keep it gluten-free; their growing bodies will appreciate it!! A great goal would be a household that is 80/20; that is 80% of the time paleo with the other 20% being more ‘standard’. Lastly, never force the kids to eat. Provide the food and let them decide. If they refuse to eat and throw a fit – ignore it. By arguing and pleading you only reinforce the behavior giving them attention and increasing the likelihood of it happening again. Keep meal time fun and enjoyable eating should not be stressful.
For more wonderful information on how to get yourself and your children to live a healthier lifestyle go to www.robbwolf.com!
Fit Chic