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Making healthy food choices isn’t always easy. Often we give into the temptation of sweets and the convenience of highly processed foods. But the key is to continually strive to make better decisions each day and teach our children to understand nutrition facts and enable them to eat healthier.
Last year we wrote about the Focus on the Facts campaign and we’re thrilled to continue to spread the message of teaching kids early about nutrition.
The Nutrition Facts Education Campaign (NFEC) is a joint effort between the Food & Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC), Health Canada, Retail Council of Canada (RCC), and the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG).
The NFEC aims to raise Canadians awareness, use and understanding of the Serving Size and Percent Daily Value (% DV), on the Nutrition Facts Table (NFt) so that we can all make informed food choices for our families.
Learning at the Vancouver Home & Design Show
Last weekend, I took our girls to visit the NFEC event at the Vancouver Home & Design Show.
The girls had a great time and learned more about nutrition. One of the ladies at the booth, went through an explanation of how the Nutrition Facts table (NFt) works and they played a “Nutrition FACT-O” game.
I think continually educating families on healthy eating choices is so important. The booth was fun and informative and I hope lots of the families visiting the Home & Design Show took time to stop and learn.
It helps to find ways to make learning about nutrition fun.
Also, discussions about nutrition are not one-time conversations. You want to continually talk about the ingredients in your and their nutritional value.
Having the Nutrition Facts table (NFt) right on the box of foods makes it easy to talk to your kids about the food you’re eating.
Learn more about the campaign and how to use the NFt at Canada.ca/NutritionFacts.
Take the Quiz
Learn how to use the Nutrition Facts table to make informed food choices for you and your family with this four-step quiz.
Test your knowledge daily for your chance to win a $300 grocery gift card from RCC and FCPC.
Giveaway $100 Grocery Gift Card
In addition to your chance to win a $300 Grocery Gift Card from the Focus on the Facts website, we also are giving away a $100 Grocery Gift Card to one of our readers.
The $100 gift card will be for the winner’s choice of one of the following retailers: Walmart, Loblaws (LCL), Sobey’s, Federated Co-op, Metro, Costco Wholesale and Overwaitea Food Group.
Leave us a comment sharing any tips, advice or experience you have trying to get your family to make healthier food choices. Then complete your entry using the form below.
(Open to Canadians only.)
Enter More Christmas Giveaways
We’ve got many more giveaways coming this month. Check out our 2016 Christmas Giveaway Event…
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Disclosure: This post is sponsored, so extra thanks for reading and sharing.
Written by Susan Carraretto, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom
Talk with me: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
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Rachel Travis says
My hubby and I have tried substituting our “regulars” for healthier alternatives …ie, steamed & blended cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes!
Cathy M says
Eating and cooking healthy foods are essential and winning this card will give me the resources to help buy better ingredients.
Robb Strommen says
family look at top 3 ingredients.
vicki lorenz says
Reading labels is something kids would never do on their own. We have to teach them in order to let them know what is good or bad for their bodies. It also teaches them to read difficult words. I am teaching my grandkids whenever I get a chance.
Wanda Bee says
I like to get them to help with the meal plans. If they kind of “own” part of the decision making, that helps a lot.
Kerry p says
The most important thing i teach them is to get enough vegetables in them. If they dont want to eat them they have the option of drinking them in a shake where they can cover the taste with fruit
Tammy Greer says
I take my kids grocery shopping with me and let them help plan out our meals. We like to try new vegetables and new recipes.
Betty S says
We now have diabetes in the family and are really reading the labels looking or sugar and carbohydrates values
Cindy Brooks says
My kids are more apt to eat healthy if everything is well seasoned.
Ashley says
Organic food is my kind of food!
Kristy says
We have a small garden and the kids will eat just about anything that we grow.
Hesper Fry says
We don’t bring junk food in the home, which helps us make healthier choices.
Danielle Day says
Try to buy fresh,,fresh veggies and fruit.
shawna says
I read labels and have my kids involved in helping pick out healthy things.
Thomas Gibson says
My tip would be to cut portion of the “bad” foods and load up on the good food.
Kyl Neusch says
cut back a lot on processed foods over the years
Debbie Hinson says
My tip relates to LESS food. I encourage my family to drink a glass of water before they reach for a snack, as sometimes we mistake hunger for the body’s need for water, and then , if still hungry – reach for fruit or veggies. A lot of time we are just bored.
Charlene Phillips says
I bought a decorative bowl for fresh fruit to put on the kitchen table.
Jill Rivera says
I try not to bring the junk food in the house, If it is not in the house they will not eat it.
Lynnie says
We try to keep the pantry stocked with healthy fare, so that we can always made a healthy meal
Kathryn Mackey says
I cook healthy foods from American Heart Association to help my family eat healthy
Penny Snyder says
Make your healthy snacks fun!! Lots of color…..
kelley roahc says
I try to eat healthy all the time. Grow own vegetables
Joyce says
I say, ” Always try new things. You just may like it”.
Laurie W. says
I always try to keep fresh fruit and vegetables in the house and not stock up much on chips and candies.
kim hardy says
Start healthy as babies
Brenda Elsner says
I take my kids shopping with me and we choose as a family what we make for the week.
Marcie says
When I was young, I was taught that trying new things is an adventure! I think that’s a helpful mentality to have. Far too many kids are picky eaters who seem to only want chicken nuggets and hot dogs. I wasn’t like that, and I think it’s because my parents used a “wow, this is fun!” approach with me.
Angie says
I keep fresh fruits and vegetables on hand so they are more encouraged to eat them!
lisa neutel says
I try to give my kids choices -always healthy , they can choose the vegetable and they can have it cooked or raw
Elizabeth Robinson says
I always read the labels to make sure I know what is in the food before I buy it.
susan smoaks says
It is not easy to get family members to make healthy choices. I have found that leading by example and having those healthy choices in convenient packages helps. I like to have fresh fruit always in the fridge cut up and ready to eat. I like to have veggies with each meal.
Daniel M says
stay away from salt and sugar
Lisa V. says
I would not buy any junk food or sodas for the house.
Juliee Fitze says
I read the labels with them to show them amount of sugar in their food.
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Klydra Pugh says
I offer fruit to my kids at every meal
Thanks for the chance
MaryAnne LaRocque-Ouamar says
I love to bake and cook at home where I can control what I use.
Bridget Combs says
We try to keep 80% of our shopping to the outer isles of the grocery store as well as strictly juice 2 days a week
Jessica Gonzalez says
Be a good role model! If my kids see me eating something, they are more likely to try it. Also, let your kids shop with you and give them 3 healthy options…let them chose he snack they want (out of those options).
Thank you for the opportunity to win! I’ve got 4 growing daughters who are eating up a storm!!!
James Nickerson says
For some reason if the kids help with the veggies (like pealing the carrots, etc.) they are proud that they helped and more likely to eat them with gusto
Linda Stewart says
I used to have a small basket that would sit filled with not so healthy snack foods. Something the boys could grab and go quickly, without hassle. The basket became their “go to” for anything/anytime they wanted. They wouldn’t eat meals when they were put on the table but 10 minutes later they were grabbing from the snack basket. I took the snack basket away, or rather I took the unhealthy choices away and replaced them with better snack options. When they would ask for something to eat I would point them in the direction of the basket. It took a while for them to understand the poor choices were no longer available and they would have to accept what was in the basket or wait for meal time. It took a while but eventually meal times became their better choice. They will eat a good, full choice meal and when/if they find themselves wanting a snack between meals they know what the limits are and have finally started to select the better options as well as accepting the new snack baskket.
Katrina says
My best advice is to drink lots of water.
aleesa says
my girls love helping me make healthy meals, I think if you let kids be a part of the process they get excited about what you are doing.
Joanne Saunders says
I have a hard time getting my son to do anything healthy, let alone read labels. So, for now I’m going to be the one to help him make the choices.
Angela Saver says
I try to set a good example for my family by making healthy eating choices myself. I also make sure I have lots of fruits/veggies & healthy foods for them to choose from! I don’t buy junk for them to eat either!
jane graikowski says
I never buy soda or unhealthy snacks for my family. They really have no choice than to eat and drink what we have. Hahah. We do occasionally have unhealthy food, but rarely. Holidays we eat pretty unhealthy.
Angela September says
since my hubby is gluten free we read the labels regularly. We try and involve the kids to show them how much sugar is in a serving, etc. Hopefully it’ll make them smarter consumers when they’re older!
Noreen says
I don’t buy GMOs or food with artificial colors, I send safe candy to school and if my kids avoid a bad treat I replace them with safe treat at home.
Sonya Allstun says
Its not easy to get my kids to always make the right healthy choice but they learn by example and i try to prepare delicious meals I know they will like that are healthy or with a little twist of ingredient they dont know is in there.
golden storm says
i always make meals from home,,no frozen meals ever
Elaine G says
I’ve taught them to read labels. We have food allergies and diabetes in the family so I thought they needed to learn how to read and know what is in the food they are eating.
Janet P. says
We try to read the labels so we know how much salt and sugar are in the foods we like and if there is a better choice instead. Everything in moderation works well too.
Nancy Bowers says
I think it begins with the grocery shopper. If it isn’t brought in the house, that is half the battle. Nutritional food looks more appealing when its not sitting next to ice cream.
Rosanne says
I try to set an example by what I eat and I also mix vegetables in things like sauce or soups
Mena Jarjes says
I’ve been reading labels since I made the choice of becoming vegetarian and living a healthier life style.
My family is arabic and we do like eating lots of meats but ever since i became a vegetarian they have been respecting me and my decisions with food hehehehe. but I got them into reading labels and reading ingredient to know what nutrition we are getting.
nicolthepickle says
I avoid things like cereal and sweetened yogurts for breakfast. They have a lot of sugar in them and why start the day off like that?
Susanne McCarthy says
I package fruits and veggies, cheese in snack size baggies in the fridge so the kids (teens) just have to grab them and go! If they aren’t all packaged—-they won’t get eaten. Makes it as easy as possible for them to eat healthy!
Donna L. says
I avoid serving processed foods by cooking from scratch as much as possible.
Nancy says
Growing your own veggies and shopping at the farmer’s market helps kids learn how to eat healthy.
Megan McGran says
When making recipes with tomato sauce I blend other vegetables into the sauce.
Kim D says
Make healthy snacks easily available and don’t have other, unhealthy options. Keep offering the healthy options and they will eventually try them, hopefully even like them!
DebP says
All I can say is to start young. If they*ve always eaten healthy, they*ll continue to eat healthy.
Brittney House says
We keep cut up fruits handy so that we can choose healthier snacking options, rather than chips.
Mandala says
We stock up on fruits and nuts for healthy snacks. We started reading labels and choose those that has lesser sodium content.
Christine Topley says
I’m the worst culprit for wanting things that taste good but not necessarily good for me. That’s why hubby does the grocery shopping. He sticks to the outside area of the grocery stores and only goes down into the aisles for things like spices and other items needed for recipes. He NEVER buys prepackaged foods or anything like that. Everything we eat is made from scratch and pretty much from the meat, bread and vegetable sections.
Andrea H says
My tip is to only keep healthy foods in the house. If I don’t buy the junk food, the kids don’t have it to eat.
Susan Christy says
Skipping the cookie aisle at the grocery store has helped me cut out a lot of calories. I can’t go down that aisle without putting something in my cart so now I just cruise on by.
Denae Boucher says
Have frozen homemade meals for days you have no time to cook.
vickie allbright says
we read labels use fresh fruits and veggies while cooking and stay away from processed foods
Jaclyn Mercer says
I try to offer a choice between two healthy things. I make options as natural as I can. And my kids know that there’s a time place for treats.
Catherine Griffith says
The best way to ensure everyone is eating a nutritious, balanced meal is to add lots of color to your plates. I used lots of fruits and vegetables in order to get the kids visually interested in eating!
David Balkin says
My wife and I both have been counting calories since February and, combined, have lost about 85 lbs so far! Feels great to be healthier.
Doris H says
We plan healthy meals together and avoid processed foods whenever possible.
Judy Hunting says
I’ve been teaching my children to read the labels so they know what they are eating
Robyn Bellefleur says
I take my kids grocery shopping with me and have them read some labels as we go along so they can learn about nutrition.
Andrea Amy says
My best advice is to read the labels and to buy as much non-processed foods as possible. I try to buy fresh and make everything from scratch, but the items that I do buy that are not fresh I do read the labels and the ingredients (and try not to buy items with ingredients I can’t pronounce)
Tiffany Banks says
We grow our own vegetables!!
Joanna Allison says
I offer my family a bite of my healthy food. When they see how good it tastes, they want some.
Carol M says
Planning the menu together give you a chance to discuss healthier choices.
BobbiJo pentney says
Do not drink your daily value of calories with juice.
Tracy D says
We try and reduce sugar as much as possible, and read labels for sugar, diabetes runs in our family.
Karen Propes says
We make out our list before shopping and try to get the brands that are not GMO and use fresh veggies and fruit.
Serge B says
Go shopping three times a week to get small amounts of fresher and healthier food
Marla says
Read food labels
paige c says
we try not to snack too much and not buy packaged snacks very often!
Kathy Stevenson says
Don’t buy it and they can’t eat it.
Steph says
We eat healthier by snack planning ahead of time! I usually home make all our snacks so I know exactly what is in them and package them all into servings so they are just as easy to grab as any other snack would be.
Sandy Couzens says
For us the best choices I can make is not to have bad choices in the house. We make healthy snack choices every time by doing this. It has worked for us for quite a few years. Thank you for all the great info and giveaway 🙂
ivy pluchinsky says
The only tip i have is if you want your kids to eat their veggies, then add cheese sauce! it works for us!
Nancy says
Buying healthy delicious food.
Rebecca Hastings says
I have found that planning meals ahead of time and using that to make my shopping list, then sticking to that list, helps us not have nearly as many impulse buys while we’re grocery shopping.
lori butler says
learning more how to read about actual serving sizes
Barbara Montag says
For healthier food choices we have added more whole grains.
thank you
Bee says
Get kids to help me make the fruit and veggie smoothies everyday
Darlene Ysaguirre says
I find involving them in the selection of veggies in the store and letting them help with dinner gets them excited to try their creations.
Marlene V. says
Having healthy snacks readily on hand helps. Having fruit washed and carrots in a bowl on the counter, etc…
Leslie Crosbie says
Get your kids involved in cooking the meals!
LisaN says
Chop up leafy greens and add them to soup, stews, stir fries. Easy way to incorporate greens.
Corey Olomon says
I give the kids lots of healthy choices to chose from.
Haylie Langwald says
I buy a lot of fruit and veggies, and my kids pick out what they want. They also make their own lunches and know to put in a main meal, fruit and veg, and making them responsible for their lunches gives them the power to eat healthy.
Rebby says
I try to read all of the labels and try to be mindful of hidden sugar as we have a diabetic in the household
Maryanne says
We are trying to eat more whole foods, less processed food!
Betsy Barnes says
One way thing we do in trying to get our family to make healthier food choices is visiting our local farmers market. We took our son when he was little and it was a great way to introduce him to healthy foods and meet the people that grew them. 🙂
Terry Stevens says
We no longer drink soda in our house and if we want flavor to our water, we infuse it with fruit. I have to read labels due to allergies so do not buy anything with MSG or it’s 10-12 other names. We also choose fruit, veggies or nuts for snacks rather than chips, cookies, etc.
LILLIAN BROWN says
To eat healthier, I cook most of our meals using fresh vegetables and leaner cuts of meat. I do real labels.
ellen beck says
One way I have found is teaching kids to garden! Kids will eat what they grow. Let them pick out some of the vegetables and have them help. They will also most often try new ones too if they can grow it next year, I had a broccoli hater, and now she loves it.
Emily Morelli says
To help my family make healthy choices, we equate whole, natural foods with growing strong, healthy bodies that can do whatever you want and avoid illness. My daughter is a dancer and understood from an early age that good, fresh foods build strong muscles and make her feel good but sugar and junk keep her from being the best.
jennifer corrado says
Its not easy to get my kids to always make the right healthy choice but they learn by example and i try to prepare delicious meals I know they will like that are healthy or with a little twist of ingredient they dont know is in there.
Claudia Davis says
I think its all about sneaking healthier ingredients into meals and recipes.
Kristin C says
We have switched our white pasta for whole wheat and my kids had no clue.
angela eagle says
they can only eat what you buy. let them help prepare. make the food fun like making shapes or making finger food. let them select from choices you provide
caroline m. says
start a home garden growing “the dirty dozen” to make it a clean dozen
Theresa C. says
We always find that if we let our girls choose & make their own healthy food they’re more likely to eat it 😉
Tricia Hope says
I had gestational diabetes with my last pregnancy,23 years ago.Have follwed closely sugars and now with high blood pressure,I look for sodium content
Calvin F. says
Limit sugary foods. When shopping for groceries try to stay on the outer aisles instead of the centre ones, usually the junk food and other not as healthy ones are there. Try to eat every 3 hours. Eat fruit before meals. Include nuts and fruits everyday in your meal.
Jennifer S says
With my daughter it is super easy—all I have to do is tell her it is healthy and she will eat it. My son we have to sneak healthy choices into his food as he is the pickiest eater on the planet.
Mike Gismondi says
Try to get your kids to eat fruit instead of junk food
Grace S. says
Involve the whole family in good healthy food choices.
Nicole Aben says
We encourage trying new foods often and really limit sugar intake.
Margaret H says
It’s important to read the labels on products
Surinder Gurm says
Cook from scratch cause hubby has heart issues. Also dropped big grocery shop wastes food
latoya says
My mom always encouraged me to add something healthy to each meal…like cutting up fruit in my cereal, or adding some crunchy veggies to my lunch.
Tabby72 says
I teach them to have a balance of healthy food with some treats!
Courtney says
Avoid processed and sugary foods as much as possible! Also make healthy snacks very convenient to grab for a snack instead of junk food.
Kaitlyn says
My tip is to SEASON your food. There’s nothing worse than plain steamed vegetables, especially to kids. You need to season them or maybe use a little sauce (stir fries are great) so that they actually taste good.
Kim M says
I went on a strict diet and now read the labels and focus on salt/sodium content for my blood pressure.
Rebecca Groen says
Everyone in my family loves pasta, so i always chop up vegetables as tiny as possible. They never notice!
Edith Rennes says
Probably the best tip I have is to not less junk food each time you shop…if you don’t have it you can’t eat it.
Jeanette Jackson says
One way to get kids to eat celery is to put cheese on it.
Chrystal D says
There’s plenty of ways you can sneak veggies into foods!
Kim Hamilton says
Make sure that your plate is always full of multi-coloured foods. The more colours, the more vitamins you are probably eating!!
Kim Hamilton says
Skittles don’t count by the way….
Linda Svarovsky says
We always add extra vegetables to our meals
Sara Lima says
Oh geez. Well, the holidays not withstanding, I try to make use of my slow cooker. Turkey chilli, hearty stews with root veggies (lean meats!), I mean, there’s a lot you can do there. Oats! Oh man, you make enough for a week, then microwave (plus, since they are nearly gelatinous when cold, no spillage).
I also try to watch my alcohol consumer – all the time, but esp during the holidays. TONS of calories there – and empty ones to boot. I also try to go easy on the whipped cream on all those fancy coffees and hot chocolates.
natasha lamoreux says
It helps my family eat healthier when I have the kids involved in meal prep.
SarahJ says
The only tip I have is put spinach in smoothies…you can’t tell it is in there and everyone loves smoothies!
Cairine says
My tip for healthy eating is to not buy junk food then nobody can eat it and will have to choose something healthy for snacking.
Heather Swanson says
put a serving size from the box or bag into a small bowl
Brenda Penton says
My biggest tip is to get a food scale and weigh servings rather than eye ball them. I cut out a lot of calories as a result of doing this.
Amanda S. says
We eat pretty healthy in my house, but I’m sure there is still room for improvement!
Ron says
Having kids help with growing vegetables, even if in just a pot on the patio, helps them to be more excited about cooking and eating them.
greg says
My tip is to just not buy the junk food. If it’s not in the house it’s harder to eat.
Gracie Mc says
I make smoothies with hidden veggies in them. Spinach, broccoli stalks, cucumber and other leafy greens are all things I can sneak into a strawberry and banana smoothie!
Kristi says
I like to make soups and hide in vegetables to add more nutrition.
Alison Braidwood says
I’d invest in one of those cookbooks that focus on sneaking vegetables into cooking, if you have vegetable-averse kidlets.
Emily Rainey says
My family cooks together every night so my kids understand the value of home grown ingredients and how much healthier and scrumptious it is to cook your own meal, rather than buying it pre-made.
Pd Reimer says
If I don’t buy it, they won’t eat it!
Derek Jennings says
cooking with turkey instead of chicken or ground beef is a healthier choice ive made for me and my family.
Pat says
Kids learn from parents. If you eat healthy then they will likely eat healthy.
Kim says
We try to cook from scratch whenever we can.
Julie says
We talk about healthy choices a lot and modelling good eating habits helps children make good choices too. My kids like it when I make faces etc with their food or give them some dip to dip their veggies in and they are quite happy.
Hailey McCullough says
I try to use healthier individual ingredients – i.e. margarine instead of butter, skim milk, etc. – to help make meals healthier for my family.
tiesha says
I found that when the adults enjoyed foods, the kids would be more likely to try. But, in some cases that took months! 🙂
Cassandra says
I started teaching Mini me from a young age to shop the perimeter to fuel her athletic goals. Even at 11, she still reaches for an apple or a yogurt before a cookie!
elldubbs says
It will all taste better if you make it from scratch.
Avis Baker says
We are trying to eat healthier and read labels. I enjoy all the tips and ideas. Love the giveaway.
Marina Bird says
No picky eaters. Everyone eats what is prepared with input from them
Shelley Nelson says
I give them some choices – they get to choose between 3 healthy options, that way if they pick it they had a hand in the decision making so they are more likely to eat it
Chantelle Silverquill says
I teach the kids how to read labels and get them helping in the lichen preparing meals teaching me and them what’s healthy
Daniela Plume says
I keep the fridge stocked with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
Heather Williams says
We grocery shop and cook as a family. That way everyone has a say and knows what foods are good for us. Teaching in action I suppose. It’s worked so far and kids hope will have influenced my son enough to eat healthy on his own.
Jennifer Green says
I have my children help me cook to show them that healthy food us not only good for them but it can be fun to make too
shannon fowler says
I haven’t been successful for everyone, but I’ve helped my mom and fiancé by finding creative ways to change up the dishes they already love. i also help them focus on how they feel physically afterward.
Linda G. says
I try to buy more healthy food like more fruits and veggies for my family to eat.
Nicole Sender says
I like to take my grand kids shopping and show them how to determine what are healthy choices.
Rae D. says
Always have fruit and chopped vegetables available for healthy snacks.
ELIZABETH C. says
Its quite easy to get my family to eat healthy because I do the grocery shopping. If there is no junk food in the house, they cant eat it. My kids are young so they eat what I feed them. Works well !! 🙂
Cathy C says
I try not to have any pop or sugary items in the house so the temptation is not there to eat or drink sugary drinks.
Tonya flores says
We eat more veggies and fruits and try to stay away from sugar.
Katie says
We try to only buy organic foods when we can and I also make the kids have a healthy snack first then if they are still hungry they can have something a little sweeter like a piece of organic chocolate.
heather s says
Have more fresh fruit and veggies on hand as an easy snack.
Julie says
Instead of reaching for something sweet, grab some fruit instead
Carol says
I have been looking for more fiber and lower sugar products.
karli Nagy says
I like adding extra vegetables to meal. one way is to use zuchinni for noodles
Maritess S says
Aside from making sure to read the labels on packaged foods, I make sure that we buy more in the fresh produce section.
Sandy Klocinski says
I use a smaller plate at meals to help control the amount of food and calories I eat. I take time to enjoy smaller amounts of food.
Debbi Wellenstein says
We eat healthy,and so do the kids. They help grocery shop, and they help cook the meals.
Lisa Weidknecht says
Keep pre-portioned healthy snacks in the fridge and in a basket in the kitchen for easy grabbing. Use raisins, nuts, pretzels, grapes, carrot sticks, cheese cubes, berries, or banana chips, etc.
Kelley Shymkwich says
We make food fun, tell silly stories about it or arrange it in a creative way
Debra S says
Well, ever since the 60’s I’ve been a natural foods advocate! If God made it, eat it. And eat it that way, not all changed and processed. It just makes perfect sense. Do not keep junk food in your house! Keep good snacks, nuts, fresh fruit, homemade cookies with good things in them, and no one misses the junk at all.
margo b says
I avoid bringing junk food into the house, only fruits and vegetables, with once a week binging which is ok as long as its only once a week
Jessica miller says
I buy fruits and vegetables for a healthier snack.
Sharon Kaminski says
We try to include at least one vegetable or fruit with every meal. The kids are used to that now.
tammy ta says
My advice is to not give -up or give-in when it comes to your kids and vegetables.
Michelle Hill says
My advice is based on what I did with my kids. Introduce healthy foods to your kids early, very early, and this will follow them. My kids all eat healthy with no need for pushing from me.
Denise M says
I am trying to put more fruits and veggies in easier to reach spots. And prep ahead of time
Tracey Byram says
If I add cheese or bacon to any vegetable, my family will eat it.
April says
I’ve been teaching the family to read labels which is showing us what’s really good to put into our body.
Amy Pratt says
I try to read labels and make healthy choices. I also avoid packaged foods.
Audrey Stewart says
We signed up for a fruit of the month club, and everyone has to eat some.
Aarone Mawdsley says
add a veggie to every meal
Ellie Wright says
I try to prepare balanced meals for my kids with protein and plenty of veggies.
Kathy Ross says
I just try to make healthier things or cook healthier and if they eat it that’s great. If not they make something themselves or go hungry.
Debbie Yoder says
we do not eat sugar, or processsed foods ,only fresh fruits , meats and vegetablles.
dan williams says
I am a label reader, I look for the ingredients and the order they are listed. Look at the server size and sugar and salt content
Rachel says
My tip is to avoid added sugar
Anne-Marie Tvete says
We rarely buy any packaged foods these days. Try as much to make it from scratch
Margaret Smith says
I let my kids have some say on what we’re going to eat. They seem to be more open to trying different foods if they get to choose from a few choices.
wilson king says
Drink water before your thirsty.
Dorothy Deakyne says
I put vitamins in smoothies
Elena says
my tip for your family to eat healthier is to make fruit and veggie smoothies
Becky Best says
My tip for us making healthier food choices, is doing as much prepping on Sundays as I can, for the coming week. Cleaning, cutting, choppings veggies, fruit, etc. so it is convenient to just grab and go! 🙂
nicky says
I find packing a lunch healthier for me than eating out at lunch, it allows me to control better what I eat.
Kim says
I’ve been trying to buy fresh fruit instead of canned fruit.
Jennifer P. says
I just try to keep healthy foods on hand at home so that when my family needs a snack, food on the go, etc the choices they have are healthy. We always have at least 3-5 fruit options available for example (e.g. right now we have bananas, oranges, grapes, kiwi, and apples), and we never buy sweets or chips unless they are for a special occasion like a party, movie night, special day etc. If we have that stuff in the house, we eat it of course, so by replacing it with things like fruit, low sodium crackers etc. we simply have healthier options on hand.
Lucy says
Have lots of healthy food on hand to avoid temptation.
Anu Chopra says
I like taking my kids into the grocery store to the fruits and vegetable section so they can pick out healthy snacks to take to school!
naiddia p says
I am really trying to buy healthier food when I go grocery shopping and reduced buying processed foods.
Tainan Lu says
I am trying to eat healthier
Mark V says
It all starts in the store, If it comes in a box I try to avoid it.
Neils Thor says
Find what they like and give more of the nutrition stuff!!
Steph says
I hide the veggies in sauce
Sarah De Diego says
My kids are always interested in trying something once. Sometimes though, if it looks “gross”, they won’t. Make a game of it and have them close their eyes!
Besos Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
Melinda Jana says
don’t be afraid to talk to a dietitian about making better and more informed food choices
Debbie White Beattie says
When trying to get a fussy eater to get enough nutrients make up puree’s or cut up food small enough to add to other dishes like mashed potatoes, pasta sauce etc.
Janet M says
We have a bowl of fruit on the countertops for snacks.
Tammy Dalley says
Make healthy food fun, I love making shapes with veggies for my boys, they love it!
Brandy Trover says
I am needing tips. Thanks!
Jeanna says
My children go to a healthy school so their lunches have to contain healthy food. We shop together for items for their lunches and they are slowing learning what is good for them and what is not! And more often than not, they choose the healthy stuff at home first over the junk food!
SUMMER PLEWES says
I am trying to lead by example and show the kids exactly how we should eat instead of how we have always eaten.
Rhonda W G. says
We keep the house full of healthy food and no junk food! I prepare healthy meals and it’s just our norm.
christine murray says
We are trying to eat meals made from scratch more and we are being more aware of what ingredients are in the boxed or canned food that we are buying.
Amy Heffernan says
I like to keep things colorful!! 🙂 Thanks!
Linda says
I encourage my son to join me in the kitchen so he can learn how to prepare healthier food.
Lee-Ann says
We try to talk about healthy food choices daily in regards to what the body needs to fuel certain activities.
Doreen Lamoureux says
My tip is to pay attention not just to sugars but to carbs too. Carbs turn into sugar. So, if 1/2 cup of a product is 23 percent sugar and 64 percent carbs…… that is too much sugar.
Karla Sceviour says
I try to have some sort of veggies with every meal!!
Laura says
We always try to eat healthy fruits and veggies when we can!
Amy C says
We go to the farmers market to pick up local yummy vegetables and fruits.
Jenness M says
We make almost all of our meals (and grow veggies and herbs) and rarely buy processed foods/meals so my kids are already learning how to eat healthy.
Maria says
I have my kids help me pick recipes and then go shopping with me
angela m says
I let my kids helping with the shopping. And I tell them they can pick out one new fruit or veggie to try.
wobbles13 says
i teach my kids that certain foods are junk food and they are not healthy and that they can eat junk food but just little bit not a lot
Tara Betterley says
I am horrible for checking the labels. I do try to follow the food guide and make sure that they have their full dinners on a daily basis. I don’t watch their sugars or fats!
Soozle says
Simply, out of sight out of mind. I stock up on healthy veggies & hummus for snacks verses having chips on hand. If it’s not there to tempt, it’s not an option!
Ira says
I never read just the table, always with the ingredients list – and I never buy anything with too many ingredients.
Glogirl says
We look at labels for the fiber and sugar content as there is a diabetic in the household. Finding foods with low sugar and high fiber content makes for a healthy choice for us.
ginette4 says
I make stir fry’s and sauces that have loads of vegetables, great way to eat healthy without any notice
Erinn Lishman says
We are a health conscious family, so I try my best to incorporate fruits and veggies with every snack and meal. I also talk to my three girls about “sometimes foods” versus “all the time foods”, and making healthy choices. It’s an uphill battle to eat healthy- for all of us!- but it’s so important and posts/campaigns like these definitely help!
Caryn Coates says
We have been trying to eat healthy for a couple years now. We grow some of our own veggies, we are constantly reading labels and teaching our children the benefits of healthy eating
Krista M says
Food exposure is key for my son who has special needs. He gravitates toward carb-based foods so at every meal we place a small amount of a nutritious food beside that & encourage him to touch, smell, taste it so his diet expands to a healthier way of life. I also food substitute in healthier pastas, cheese with lower milk fat %, & foods with more fibre.
Anne says
Cooking meals together which are healthy and balanced. Teaching them from an early age about healthy eating and the benefits.
Cheryl MacPhail says
I find that letting our kids pick what healthy snacks they want for their lunches has worked for us 🙂
Suzanne G says
I have always checked out labels on food and I also taught my kids how to do this. It really takes so little time to read the labels and I do know I am amazed how something can be made out to be healthy and it contains so much fat and sugar you may as well eat a chocolate bar.
Jay J says
We always plan our meals for the week on Sunday, this helps us keep to our diet.
Julie F says
I cook most of our meals from scratch using fresh ingredients!
kathy downey says
I am trying to get my family to make healthier food choices be reading labels before i buy.
Pam says
having kids helps in the kitchen from an early age helps
Florence Cochrane says
I try to only buy healthy foods to have in the house. That way they we have to eat the fruit and other healthy snacks. I wash the fruit and cut up veggies to have easy access.
Brenda Lacourciere says
I find that if I stock fruits and vegetables and prepare them to be easier to eat, my family will choose those over junk food.
jan says
We have cut back a lot on processed foods over the years and always read the labels. I just wish they were a little ‘easier’.
missbobloblaw says
We have been buying less processed foods, and making more meals from scratch. This way we know what is in it, & there are usually fewer preservatives.
michelle k says
I take my son to the store, today he wanted Nesquick milk boxes for his lunch, it lead to a whole conversation about why isn’t this milk refrigerated. I want him o have chocolate milk, but not that stuff. He left it and picked out his “starbucks” apple juice instead. I like those talks.
Rebecca says
We just try to look closer now at the nutrition facts more when we buy groceries. I only used to pay attention to calories and fat content but now look at the entire table auch as sugar, daily value, etc.
Silvia D says
The kids help with the shopping list, they tend to eat more fruits and veggies if they are visable, like a bowl of fruit on table, they eat more veggies if they have a healthy dip for them! they like their veggies raw mostly.
Wendy hutton says
really have no tips but as a person gets older they tend to watch what they eat and check the labels, like for sodium content, or sugar
loriag says
My best advice as to getting family to make healthy food choices is a combination of modelling it and only having healthier choices in the house.
Carole Dube says
We eat pretty healthy and we read the labels for salt, fat and sugar content. We make the grocery list together and plan our meal so every one likes it.
Joni W says
I try to eat healthy all the time. Grow own vegetables (those are the best), store them all winter, can those that can’t be cold storaged, quick freeze some.
Jonnie says
I find if you let everyone have input in what meals you make, they are more likely to eat what you make.
Anne Taylor says
I’ve been reading labels for years. I taught my children to do it and now I’m teaching my grandchildren!