. Make sure your children eat breakfast every day—preferably not sugary cereals or jam-filled toaster pastries. Oatmeal or other whole grain cereals without added colors, chocolate or sugar are always a good idea. Offer some fruit and a nutritious drink such as fortified juice or milk
. Don’t force-feed. Let your kids decide how much they want to eat.
. Limit snacks after dinner, and make any dessert other than a piece of fruit a treat rather than an everyday occurrence
. Ban soda or make it a very occasional treat, and limit the serving size
. Limit computer, TV or videogame time. Send your kids outside to play with a ball or ride their bikes. Find an activity your child enjoys and sign them up for teams or classes—dance, soccer, swimming, basketball, T-ball—anything that requires movement. If you have a preschooler, many communities have toddler-gym classes
. Lead by example. Your children are more likely to try new foods if you eat them too.
. Talk to your children about the importance of good nutrition and healthy living. Explain how excess fat and sugar can make them unfit and ultimately sick
. Make food the focus. Turn off the TV and put away toys during meal time. Children eat better without these distractions.
