Just One Bite

Trying to get your kids to eat healthy can be a battle of wills, but studies show that if you don’t give up, your persistence will pay off. A group of pediatric researchers from the University of Buffalo recently published a paper in the Obesity Reviews that stated if you continually expose infants and children to healthy foods, they will develop healthy eating behaviors.

It’s common for kids to turn up their noses, grimace and clamp their mouths shut when faced with new foods at first. But multiple research studies have revealed that kids do end up liking fruits, vegetables and other healthy options after being offered several meals including them.

And it may help more than just the body. BMC Public Health published a study showing that “healthy eating,” i.e. more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish, as well as cutting back on sweet, fatty, and processed foods, was associated with children’s improved self-esteem and fewer emotional problems.

So all you frustrated parents out there, fight the good fight! Your kids will thank you…eventually.

—
Photo Credit: Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock.com