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If you’re a parent with toddlers, preschool or elementary school-age kids, you’ll love these fun new ideas for teaching kids about healthy eating. Of course, as parents, we care about nutrition for kids. But what if you could actually get your children excited about their own nutrition? We believe you can!
This post is part of our ongoing sponsored series with HueTrition.
When children are young and just starting to learn about food, it is important to get them interested in a variety of flavors, colors, and textures of food. The preschool and elementary school years are the perfect time for teaching kids about healthy eating.
Turning Healthy Eating Into A Fun Game
Kids love games. And they especially love games that are apps on their mobile devices.
So why not turn their natural love for apps into an opportunity to teach them about healthy eating?
Meet Huey and the HuePets™ App
HuePets™ is a FREE nutrition game for kids that they can play on their mobile devices.
In the game, kids scan real-life food to “feed” their HuePet which unlocks prizes and makes their pet grow from a little egg to a HueMaster.
As a parent myself, I’ve found kids LOVE playing with apps that make characters grow and evolve.
The clever idea behind HuePets™ is to motivate kids to feed themselves and their HuePets healthy foods.
HuePets™ makes nutrition easy to understand for young kids. By teaching kids to eat a rainbow of colors, you can talk about how different fruits and vegetables contain different vitamins and nutrients. As they “feed” their HuePet a variety of colors, they can visualize their pet and themselves growing and staying healthy.
The app allows you as a parent to set rewards customized rewards for your kids to help motivate them towards their goals.
HuePets Is Getting Even Better
We introduced HuePets here at 5 Minutes for Mom back in 2017 when it first launched.
And in 2018, we shared more ideas for how to get kids to eat vegetables including using the HuePets app to turn healthy eating into a game.
Now, we are excited to help celebrate HuePets turning 2! Yes, HuePets Version 2.0 is coming out this August with new characters, potions, and more.
The app works alongside a website that allows medical professionals, teachers, family, and friends to monitor a child’s dashboard of colorful choices and even assign rewards for their progress.
To celebrate the HuePets 2.0 release, HueTrition is releasing the First Edition HuePets Bundle!
Watch as Monica from HueTrition explains what you’ll find in the bundle…
Getting Kids to Eat Vegetables the Fun & Easy Way
Meet the new Huey stuffed toy and find out how he will help your kids have fun learning about nutrition.
Learn more about HueTrition’s Mission at HueTrition.com.
Reserve Your Huey Bundle Now
The new Huey bundle is in high demand, so don’t wait… reserve yours so that your child does not miss out on this unique way to learn about nutrition for kids.
Get Your Kids Playing With The HuePets App
If you haven’t yet tried the HuePets app with your kids, download it today. It’s available in both the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
Download The HuePets App
Teaching Kids About Healthy Eating
It can be tough for parents to make and serve healthy food for kids including a variety of vegetables… but the toughest part is often getting kids eating the food you serve.
We think there are two main aspects to getting kids eating healthy foods…
- First, you need to help them understand the idea that foods vary in how much nutrition they can give our bodies.
- Second, you need to give them opportunities to eat a wide range of foods in a positive, encouraging environment.
And ideally, kids are given those opportunities to learn about nutrition and try healthy foods in a fun way continually as they grow.
Here are 7 ways of teaching kids about healthy eating while encouraging them to try new foods…
- Explain how colors are related to vitamins and nutrients.
The HuePets coloring book that comes in the new HuePets Bundle is a wonderful way to guide this conversation.
- Talk about the differences between fruits, vegetables, grains, meats and dairy products.
Have them sample foods from each category and tell you their favorites. You can talk about how the different types of foods are grown and whether they come from a garden, a tree, or an animal.
- Show them examples of different herbs, seasonings, and spices.
Let them carefully touch and smell some of the different types of herbs and seasonings… but be careful! You don’t want your child inhaling a bunch of cinnamon or another spice.
The best way for kids to smell certain spices might be when they are mixed in with a portion of food.
- Ask them about their favorite foods and why they like them the best. Then talk about how well those foods fuel their bodies.
- Talk about the difference between sweet and salty. Explain what sugar and salt are and how we need to be careful about how much we have.
- Give kids choices and help them make good food selections. Kids of all ages love to have the power to make choices. As your kids get older, you can have them help select recipes and create weekly menu plans. When they are toddlers and preschoolers, you can show them pictures of different foods or place healthy options in front of them and let them choose which to eat first.
For a toddler or preschooler, you might want to play a game where you place two vegetables in front of them and ask them which they want the most. Let them eat that vegetable and replace that one with a third choice, and keep going until you run out of vegetables.
- And of course, our favorite tip… is to use the HuePets app along with the Huey Stuffie and HuePets coloring book to create a full-circle learning experience.
Kids can snuggle and play with their Huey Stuffie toy, color pictures of him and the other HuePets in the coloring book and virtually “feed” and nurture their HuePet in the app.
By having all three ways of playing with HuePets, kids will become truly engaged in the game and the process of feeding their pet and themselves healthy food.
HuePets Party
Host a HuePets Party with your kids and their friends…
Pin it for Later
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by HueTrition™
Written by Susan Carrarettn, co-founder pf 5 Minutes for Mom.
Talk with us: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
Pin with us at pinterest.com/5minutesformom
JoKing says
When you take them grocery shopping with you let them pick something from the produce department and let them assist with cooking it.
Janet Boyanton says
Give children he opportunity to try lots of different kinds of foods.
Sheri Newell Anderson says
Usually our own example is sufficient but also talking about food in a positive way is very helpful.
Sarah Mayer says
My favorite tip is eat healthy with them
Robin says
I like sharing how crunchy and fun healthy foods are.
Hesper Fry says
Start introducing healthy foods early as possible while they are young and show by example that you eat them too.
Debbi Wellenstein says
We always have healthy food in the house. We make it easy and accessible.
Megan Wilson says
Reading books and including in meal prep!
Carolyn D says
Lead by example and keep a variety of fruits and veggies for them to try.
Sand says
We have them try different vegetables. My youngest little got upset when I served him cauliflower the other day and I said “Try it!” and he ended up liking it and ate it all!
Karla Sceviour says
Lead by example!
JAMES DASILVA says
I tell them their bodies reward them for eating the right foods.
Lesley F says
I try to make the food fun and show them how much I enjoy it
maria gentry says
We love planting our garden together and then eating the veggies we grow. It’s such a hands on experience and there is never an argument about eating vegetables!
David Hall says
The tip I have is that children learn by example. If they are seeing you eating healthy they are more inclined to do so themselves!
Rebecca Kellerman says
I think the tip to encourage kids into eating healthy is to introduce healthy things as young/early as possible and show no worry or doubt that they will like it. Eat things as a family confidently.
Betty S says
I love how the explain benefits of veggies thru colour which is something they can understand at a very young age
ae minx says
To make things into cute shapes so kids are excited about eating the,. also, by letting them pick out their own fruits and veggies to try at the store
Klydra Pugh says
Help them understand the more color in their diet (a variety of fruits, veggies, nuts if possible) the better.
Marge says
I get them to eat veggies by showing them how they help our bodies be healthy
Victoria K says
They are all good tips but I love using the colour of the veggies to explain the vitamins that are in the food. This would be fun to do with my daughter.
Ashley E says
We talk about how fruits and veggies and those types of snacks are healthy and we draw the pictures out with the letters so that she also learns how to spell the words and knows why they are healthy 🙂
Brigitte Bauman says
Have you child help you prepare a healthy snack and talk about why the snack is healthy.
Dana Rodriguez says
Getting kids to help in the kitchen works great!
Michelle Kafka says
I enjoy giving my grandkids healthy snacks, usually green grapes, and Babybel cheese. and letting them choose, their healthy bedtime snacks sometimes.
Melissa Storms says
Letting my son cut veggies and pick healthy proteins has always helped.
Zoey says
I think it’s important to model healthy eating for children.
margo b says
practice what you preach, if you want them to eat healthy you have to also eat healthy
Ellen Thompson says
I think the best way to get kids to eat healthy is to let them help plan and cook meals so they are more invested in the process.
Sylvania R. says
They help pick out foods for meals and we teach them how each food helps their bodies.
Christy R. says
I liked having my son pick out foods with me at the grocery store and helping me cook.
jeremy mclaughlin says
Letting them pick out what they will eat at the grocery store.
Debbie P says
I will kind of hide veggies in other food. Like putting spinach in the mashed potatoes or in the cheese in lasagna.
Amber Kolb says
I love picking out healthy recipes and having the girls make them with me. They have also started gardening with me and learning to grow the food they eat.
Sarah L says
No kids, but my mother always had my sister and I in the kitchen. When kids help plan, shop and cook the food they are more invested in it.
Thanks for the contest.
Marissa Sweltz says
I find that getting the kiddos involved is the best way…give them a few options and let them think they are making the decisions. I know my son loves to feel independent.
Shannon citrino says
I always say drink plenty of water and eat sugar in moderation
Margie says
Let the kids go shopping with you, point out the healthy foods, and let them be involved in the choices.
Paula Pennachio says
Make the healthy food taste good and tell them they have to eat it all because they will get something special after, a treat or watch a movie or stay up later
Ashley Williams says
I absolutely love giving my kids a choice! We go to the farmers market also so we let them pick out what interests them! My son loves berry season and different types of lettuce! My littles she’s loving corn, oranges and apples! We plan to start a garden again next year and teach my son how to grow his favorites
Wanda B says
I like to use myself as an example.
JUSTINE KINCH says
Fresh from the tree and food you grow yourself is best. And it’s fun to grow fruits and vegetables at home too.
Wendy R. says
I’ve tried to teach them what carbohydrates are and that they all turn into sugar. And differences of complex and simple sugars.
Piroska says
I always talked to them about choices, and let them help with shopping, choosing fruits and veggies, making healthy snacks together.
Nicole Harvey says
I’ve always try to get my kids to try new foods. If they don’t like it, then I don’t force them to eat it again.
DeGeorgetown says
I let the kids help pick out the food and cook it. It makes the meal feel special to them.
Lyz S says
I love to get my kids involved in the cooking and grocery shopping to pick out healthy foods. They like having the choice and they’re more likely to pick out things they’ve had a hand in.
Amanda L. says
I like having a garden so my kids can help plant veggies and pick them when they are ready.
Melissa Vo says
offer them a variety of healthy foods and don’t force them to eat it all.
Terri Quick says
A good dressing makes a salad extra yummy
sandra says
i like the idea of letting the kids select recipes and create weekly menu plans
April says
I love giving my kids a choice between the healthy stuff!
Karla R. says
I like to play fun facts with my girls about health benefits eating fruits and vegetables
Jeanna Massman says
I let my grandson help get fruits and vegetables ready to eat and he enjoys eating them because he has been part of the preparation.
Cheryl B says
I like to sample or taste test with my Granddaughter. Just to encourage trying different foods.
Polly says
have a large variety of healthy choices and do not buy junk food
Ashley c says
I think it’s important to lead by example and also to offer a variety of healthy foods at each meal, and continue doing it even if your child didn’t eat it the first time
Barbara Montag says
I help the kids with eating healthy by setting a good example myself.
Focus on lean protein, fruits, veggies and whole grains.
Holly Thomas says
I teach them by cutting fruit and vegetables in different shapes and sizes.
Jennifer R says
One of my favorite tips for teaching kids about healthy eating is to require them to try new foods, preferably more than once, before they just say they do not like something.
Stephanie Liske says
Let them help you pick out the fruits and veggies. This will make them more excited to try it.
Heather Kaufman says
I like to show the rainbows on their plates.
Dawn Snow says
I think teaching kids by example is the best way to teach them healthy eating habits. It also helps if your kids will garden with you and they get to eat what they planted.
Cynthia C says
I think teaching by example is best. Kids learn what they see, plus it’s good for you too!
Heather says
I’ve always tried to make it fun. For example using fruits to make silly faces.
Scott D says
Eating healthy with them – when they see you do it they will eventually follow.
Jessica Steiner says
give them a choice let them pick a healthy option.
Elizabeth Robinson says
My favorite is to give kids choices.
tammy ta says
One of my favourite tips is to set up meals in a buffet/salad bar style. Kids can choose healthy items.
Nathan Lapointe says
Show them by example by eating healthy
Sandra Dufoe says
I love that there is an app because my grandchildren love to play on my tablet and this would be great for them.
Jennifer Sparks says
I love the tips about using spices and herbs. they are so flavorful and beneficial to our health!!
Nancy says
I think the best way to teach kids to eat healthy is by example. We had fun putting ‘samples’ together, trying things & talking about it. They would often prefer fruit over candy & called it natures candy. 🙂
Ingrid Jackson says
Eat healthy with them at every meal, veggie snacks are fun too.
jahdo rose dryden says
teaching kids bout healthy eatting very important
Molli Taylor says
modeling and availability are the best ways to encourage good healthy snacking habits
Sean says
We ate healthy foods and snacks with the kids. Nothing better than being a positive example
Darlene Owen says
My tip is to keep offering healthy food to them but don’t force it.
Ken Ohl says
I try to say see I’m enjoying this you can to it does help
Laurie Nykaza says
#4 Ask them about their favorite foods and why they like them the best. Then talk about how well those foods fuel their bodies. Great tips to help them eat right.
crystal mccord says
Leading by example.
bn100 says
eat healthy with them
Thomas Gibson says
I try to emphasize that eating healthy can be fun and delicious.
Michelle H. says
When my kids see me enjoying healthy foods, then they often want to try whatever I am eating.
Cheryl Chervitz says
My kids learned about portion sizes when their dad was diagnosed with diabetes. Knowing what the proper portions are help to not overeat.
Carla Moschetti says
model the kind of eating you want your kids to learn
Kimmy Ripley says
We did the paleo diet for a couple years in my household. We avoided processed foods and I had my daughter get on board with that.
Troy Sweet says
Keep Junk food out of the house
Taylor Green says
my 3 year old would love this!!!!!!!
Heather Dawn says
Let them help you cook. Show them how to make a healthy meal.
Tiffany Schantzenbach says
My favorite tip is to set an example by eating healthy myself.
Jessica Walker says
I let them choose fruits and vegetables they like at the store to have for their snacks.
Angie Andrews says
I try to eat well and lead by example
Steve says
Just keep good food in the house and let them choose what they want.
Annette says
Trying to eat healthier myself, to give them that example.
Darlene Cruz says
My kids are grown but our grandchildren we always have fruits avaliable.
Roger Simmons says
My wife and I really sucked at teaching our kids about eating nutritionally. However, we do have our kids eat veggies every chance we get to hve them do it. Otherwise they would eat nothing but junk food.
Erin N says
Explaining to kids the benefits of veggies and fruit is awesome, and making it fun is helpful, too! Thank you for the awesome tips!
Candace Galan says
To eat a variety of colorful, fresh foods.
Clarissa Hiciano says
I try to mix it up with foods they like.
Marisela Zuniga says
Leading by example works for us. My son watches us eat and we mention how good it is and he wants to try too. We are lucky that he’s not a picky eater
Julie Bolduc says
My tip is to let the kids help you pick the healthy food to eat
Kristi R. says
I like to give my kids choices!
Daniel G. says
Makes everything colorful and in fun shapes
Alisa E says
My advice to them is do not eat any food after 8:00 p.m. because you can get acid reflux. Just drink a glass of water before bedtime.
Alexis k says
I make smiley faces. Use an apple slice as the mouth, raisins or blueberries for the eyes and nose
Sandra says
If it looks good it tastes even better. Eating healthy has long term benefits.
Dan Dykstra says
If they see me eating healthy they are more apt to follow my example.
Alexandra Y says
I encourage them to try new healthy foods.
Edye says
I love leading by example 🙂
Shayna Brookman says
I try to eat healthy myself so my kids see that it is important 😁
Leela says
Leading by example works for me.
Krista M says
My favorite tip is to make a game out of it to encourage healthy eating!
Emily says
Do not force children to eat. Forcing children to eat food they do not want teaches them to eat foods they aren’t hungry for. They learn to ignore their inner sensors and over eat. Find the healthy food they like. Be cautious of causing a stomach ache.
Soozle (Suzie B) says
My tip is to try to make healthy eating fun – fun shapes, make characters out of the fruits/veggies!
Linda Fast says
I always try to cut the fruits and vegetables into fun shapes.
Jessica W. says
Make your plate look like the colors of the rainbow.
Darlene says
We tell my niece what each fruit and veggie is good for. 🙂
Katherine says
I try to lead by example. I let the kids help me choose fresh produce when we go shopping
Susan Smith says
My daughter would go to the grocery store with me to pick out some vegetables and fruits that she wants to try.
Lisa M-C says
Explain to them what each fruit/vegetable helps with and how tasty it is!
Will G says
Ask them about their favorite foods.
NICOLE says
I let them pick out the things that they like when at the store.
Aarone says
make it fun and make it into a game for them
Natalie says
I teach my nieces how eating certain foods help them physically, such as improving their energy, eyesight, building muscle, etc.
heather says
My best tips for teaching kids about healthy eating is to plant a garden and have them see how it grows.
Scarlett says
My favorite tip is to give healthy options that are also “choices” but really, it’s one or the other!
wendy says
my showing them healthy foods are good, they will follow your example, makes shapes in their fruits and veggies make them fun to eat
Steve says
Let them choose what fruits / veggies they want to eat – don’t force them.
Dawn says
I like the tip about letting kids smell herbs and spices. I like to have my son “Help” me cook and I will have him pick spices he thinks we should add (unless we are cooking a recipe, of course). He is much more excited to eat the food once he got to choose and help.
Steve says
My little one is just starting to eat real food and it’s important we get him started with healthy eating. Much easier than changing eating habits later in life.
Tainan Lu says
My favorite tip is eating colourful fruits and veggies,
Sarah says
My little one is still a baby but I figure if I feed him healthy foods and set that example that’s the best way!
Calvin says
Always eat colourful fruits and veggies, more veggies than meat, if you are a meat eater
Lisa says
Learning about healthy foods and exposing your kids to healthy foods can get them interested in healthy food.
Robin M says
I like how it relates color to vitamins. That makes it easy for everyone.
Bryan says
I just teach them they’re more healthier snack to eat that ones with so much sugar
Kelly D says
My daughter and I like to try new fruits and veggies together and learn about how they are good for us.
stephanie says
i eat healthy with them!
Christina Gould says
My favorite tips for teaching kids about healthy eating is to only have healthy food in the house at all times. Thanks for the giveaway!
Teresa says
I like the top about giving kids a choice! I think with life choices are so important! And learning that young is the best thing
latanya says
letting them be apart of the process by taking them to the grocery store/farmer’s market, pick them out, and prepare them for eating
Anne S says
Talking to them about food and their favorites – just discussing food choices helps loads I think
Shirley Lee says
Just entering a sweepstakes here.
Heather Swanson says
read stickers on tropical fruits where it came from
Angela Saver says
My favorite tip for teaching kids about eating healthy is to choose fruits & veggies in a variety of different colors.
Anne says
We encourage the little ones to eat healthy by cooking adult meals which are appetizing. Sometimes they are adverse to trying out the foods which is normal but we hope in time they will change their eating habits and sometimes we are successful.
courtney b says
tell them it makes you big and strong like a superhero!
Kristen says
The best thing is to show by example. Let them see you eating a variety of healthy things and let them try everything.
nicky says
I lead by example and make healthy meals that everyone in the family tries. Plus we shop together for the ingredients, which teaches the kids about healthy foods.
Lauren says
I think teaching kids to read nutrition labels is important.
Jennifer Rote says
My favorite tip is giving kids choices.
Linda says
I like to teach my kids to choose foods of different colours on their plate to get them to eat all their vegetables.
shelly peterson says
Give kids choices and help them make good food selections.
Rosie says
My favorite tip, not unknown, is to engage them in the kitchen by finding things they are interested in making that are healthy and helping them to learn how to make them, and inviting their friends!
Tina says
I like tip #6..give kids choices. I like to encourage good choices. This app looks interesting.