Making healthier food choices for your family doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with a little bit of knowledge and some simple tips, you can easily make small changes that will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of your loved ones.
Whether you’re changing your family’s focus this year, or just looking for ways to be more intentional about meal times, here are tips for building a healthy, happy family.
Breakfast
When it comes to breakfast, always opt for whole grains over refined ones. This means choosing items like oatmeal, whole-wheat toast, or quinoa instead of sugary cereals or pastries. Adding some fruit to your breakfast will also give you a boost of vitamins and minerals.
If you’re looking for an easy way to add more fruits and vegetables to your family’s diet, try making smoothies. You can pack them full of nutrients by adding in spinach or kale, along with some frozen fruit and yogurt or milk. Smoothies make a great breakfast or snack option, and they’re very easy to make ahead of time, so you can grab them and go.
Lunch
If you’re packing lunch for your family, try to include a mix of healthy protein, carbohydrates, and fat. This will help keep everyone full and satisfied until dinnertime.
Some good protein options include hard-boiled eggs, chicken or turkey slices, tofu, or beans. You can also do a simple search, like “grass fed beef near me” to see where you can upgrade your meat selection. For carbohydrates, whole grain bread or crackers are always a good choice. And for fat, you can add in some avocado or cheese.
Don’t forget to pack some fruits and vegetables too! Sliced apples or carrots are perfect for adding to lunch boxes. And if your kids aren’t fans of plain produce, there are plenty of easy ways to sneak vegetables into their food without them even realizing it. For example, try shredding zucchini or carrots into pasta sauce or adding spinach to a smoothie.
Dining Out
When you’re dining out as a family, it can be tempting to order less healthy items like burgers and fries. However, there are usually plenty of healthier options available if you take the time to look for them. For example, many restaurants now offer salads, grilled chicken or fish, and roasted vegetables as entrees. And when it comes to side dishes, opt for steamed veggies or a simple green salad instead of fried foods.
If you have picky eaters in your family, don’t worry – there are still ways to make healthier choices when dining out. For example, you can order a hamburger without the bun or ask for sauce on the side so that you can control how much is used. And oftentimes, most restaurants will be happy to accommodate any special requests you may have.
Making healthier food choices for your family doesn’t have to be difficult! By following these simple tips, you can easily make small changes that will have a big impact on the health and well-being of your loved ones.
Featured Image Credit:
Home »