Keeping good habits over the holidays
The holidays are a time of memories, family get-togethers, and of course, an overabundance of sugary treats at every turn.
Since the majority of holiday traditions happen around the dinner (or dessert) table, it can be a challenge to keep kids from going overboard. (Let's be honest, it's hard for us adults, too!)
Here are a few tips to help keep those good habits going, even through the holiday season.
1. Keep plenty of fresh fruit, raw veggies and other healthy snacks in close reach. When sliced red pepper and hummus are just sitting out, children will find it hard to bypass it for the fattening stuff.
2. Let kids help with more than dessert baking. Ask them to help toss the salad, or prepare a soup (with help, of course). Kids always want to help in the kitchen and they can be relied upon for more than cookies! They’ll be filled with pride when their item hits the table, and be more likely to eat it, too!
3. Set a good example. It's hard to ask kids to just take a small sampling of sweets when they see their parents with 3 huge slices of pie! Lead by example and enjoy the dessert table, but in moderation.
4. Make memories with something other than food. Spend time going through old pictures with your kids, making crafts or handmade gifts for friends. Take them to a soup kitchen or shelter to prepare meals for those less fortunate, or hang out with Grandma and have her tell stories about when she was young. Those are the real, cherished memories of the holidays and when you focus on those, the food becomes secondary!
Since the majority of holiday traditions happen around the dinner (or dessert) table, it can be a challenge to keep kids from going overboard. (Let's be honest, it's hard for us adults, too!)
Here are a few tips to help keep those good habits going, even through the holiday season.
1. Keep plenty of fresh fruit, raw veggies and other healthy snacks in close reach. When sliced red pepper and hummus are just sitting out, children will find it hard to bypass it for the fattening stuff.
2. Let kids help with more than dessert baking. Ask them to help toss the salad, or prepare a soup (with help, of course). Kids always want to help in the kitchen and they can be relied upon for more than cookies! They’ll be filled with pride when their item hits the table, and be more likely to eat it, too!
3. Set a good example. It's hard to ask kids to just take a small sampling of sweets when they see their parents with 3 huge slices of pie! Lead by example and enjoy the dessert table, but in moderation.
4. Make memories with something other than food. Spend time going through old pictures with your kids, making crafts or handmade gifts for friends. Take them to a soup kitchen or shelter to prepare meals for those less fortunate, or hang out with Grandma and have her tell stories about when she was young. Those are the real, cherished memories of the holidays and when you focus on those, the food becomes secondary!
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