Kids can often turn their noses up at healthy foods, so how can you get them thinking differently?

I don’t know about you, but when it comes to my two kids (three and six years old) eating healthily, there is often a battle. With two very independent little men (who are quite happy at letting me know they have their own minds), I certainly have my work cut out for me. And that’s just at home. 

So, when I find myself out and about with them looking for something to eat, it annoys me to the extreme that all that’s often on offer for children is the standard fried fast food. Of course they want a burger – society is telling them that that’s the norm!

Recently, I got to sit down and catch up with Kate Di Prima, Accredited Practising Dietitian and expert in fussy eating. You can imagine my delight when she showed me and my three year old the new KidsPak™ at Subway® Restaurants (SUBWAY). A kid-friendly mini sub with a choice of ham, turkey, roast beef or Veggie Delite™ and a fresh salad filling, together with a mini Mount Franklin water and SPC Fruit Crush Up (99% fruit!), the meal is the perfect healthy option for little ones. The salad ingredients are even prepared each morning and continually refreshed throughout the day. Hooray! You probably heard my sigh of relief from the other side of town. 

At last, a healthy option for kids when they are out, with the right size portioning and a way of making nutritional food fun. My son was able to choose exactly the salad he would like in his sub (as the experts say, a child with a sense of control about what they eat will tend to love everything on their plate), not to mention the Disney Pixar Inside Out KidsPak™ reusable bag that the meal deal came with. It made my mini-me immediately gravitate towards the counter without hesitation. I even think I saw him put a piece of capsicum in his mouth at one point!

So, I have to say, full snaps to SUBWAY for making my life so much easier, and my kids lives so much healthier. For the first time, I am able to grab a meal on-the-go which is full of goodness and variety, whilst also keeping my kids happy (it’s great for picky eaters!). 

What’s more I am able to get an adult-size sub too, which makes it a lovely family experience, and something we can all enjoy together.

“Australian families are busier than ever and often have to rely on fast food or a takeaway for convenience,” Kate Di Prima agreed, when I spoke to her about it.

“The new KidsPak™ at SUBWAY is a great new, healthy fast food choice on-the-go that parents can feel confident about as a nutritionally-balanced meal option, containing carbohydrates, lean protein, fresh salads and a fruit crush. It is perfect for growing, energetic bodies. What’s more, it allows parents to continue to expose their children to good food, giving them the option of a guilt-free meal, even when out. Plus I get to eat lunch with my kids too!”

So there’s my red-hot tip for eating out and for getting the little people in your life to eat healthily. By making it fun (and a bit of a treat – what child doesn’t love Disney?), it’s the ideal opportunity to start creating positive eating habits. And the best thing? Your kids won’t even realise!

How do you get your children to eat a balanced diet?

KATE DI PRIMA’S TOP FIVE WAYS TO BEAT FUSSY EATING

1. Expose your children to a variety of healthy foods: The more they are exposed to healthy food options, the more they will accept them.
2. Don’t give up if your child won’t eat something: It takes a child 10 to 15 tastes to finally accept a food they initially do not like, but the problem is, adults often give up offering that food after two to three times of trying. Don’t back down!
3. Model healthy eating: Kids love to do what you do, so if they see you eating nutritious wholesome food, they are more likely to also.
4. Be consistent: Implement a healthy eating lifestyle and stick to it – don’t say it matters one day, and then it doesn’t the next.
5. Be aware of drinks: Children’s stomachs are very tiny, so be aware that if they are filling up on liquids, they may be more resistant to trying new foods as they will feel full. When they are hungry, they are more open to giving different tastes and textures a go.

 

This editorial was created in partnership with Subway® Restaurants.

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