Stay strong...and step away from the kid plate!

We can all identify with the routine of eating well for the entire day, celebrating our good

efforts and then….boom! Kid dinner time arrives and we are picking the remaining food

off our children’s plates (the ‘NEVER WASTE’ mantra reverberating in our ears) and

having a second dinner with our spouse…only to realize that you have just consumed

more than 650 calories in a short period of time. This often derails our entire healthy

eating journey and sends the mind into an apathetic tailspin filled with empty promises of

starting tomorrow. Fear not, dear parents. If you follow any/all of the following tips, you

are one step closer to healthier children. This inevitably leads to fit parents, a calmer

household (let’s face it…a grumpy mother is borne out of regretful eating decisions) and

a more successful program with endless possibilities.

Tip #1: Purchase bento boxes or funky plates with compartments at your local superstore.

After purchasing an item like this, my kids’ portions were reduced thus preventing me to

play the consumption recovery game:

http://www.thefind.com/family/info-divided-plates-for-kids

Mealtime became more exciting, our carbon footprint is reduced and happy portions

ensure better outcome.

Tip #2: Meal time for children spells story time with parent.

After realizing my post-meal snacking (to include items I do not even enjoy like chewed

up French fries), I opted for Mama-of-the-year award via story time while the kids eat.

Not only did I spend time with my children and expand their minds, this small effort

reduced mealtime smack-talking (my kids have a habit of dissing one another during

meals…lovely!). Tip #3: Bring the ‘bar’ to the kitchen

Enter my favorite family activity (and not what you are thinking…those days are

over)…BAR for kids! Salad bar, Pasta bar, Yogurt bar, Fruit Salad Bar, Taco Bar, etc.

The possibilities are endless….my children loving making-their-own meals while

learning about healthy decisions. They activate their own eating process, which equips

children with great food decision-making skills.

Tip #4: Plan & Take Action

Establish a formal plan for what you will do with leftovers from each dinner before the

feeling of no wastes controls your hands. For example, we use leftover taco meat for a

Sheperd’s Pie (to freeze or use for the weekend). Another option would be chicken

cutlets from dinner remade into chicken salad for lunch the next day. You get the

point…do not allow your leftovers to dictate the evil potential they can make on your

hips!

We have to come to the final motivational piece necessary as fuel for preventing scrap-

eating parents….

Nobody can make you get fit and stop poor eating; change comes when you decide to

curb cravings, activate self-control and conquer your old habits converting them into

healthier ones.