- 1). Get the kids to participate in meal planning. Explain how you need so many items from each food group to make a complete meal that's good for the body.
- 2). Replace any undesirable foods with a food of equal nutritional value. Let the kids choose on their own from a list of similar important foods.
- 3). Select easy tasks so the child can help prepare the meal. Measuring, pouring and mixing are things kids love to help do. They're more apt to eat when they help prepare the meal.
- 4). Create a fun presentation. Open-face sandwiches of raisin faces on peanut butter or sculptured mashed-potato mountains and octopus hot dogs bring a plate to life.
- 5). Remember the kids' multivitamin and see that throughout the week their diet is balanced. It's not necessary for kids to have three square meals per day as long as they're eating well over a period of time.
- 6). Offer children what the rest of the family's eating. Creating another meal for them sends the wrong message. The children expect this every mealtime.
- 7). Let kids eat when they're hungry. That's how our bodies are supposed to work. A missed meal here and there is not harmful if they eat well most of the time.
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