Celebrity mom Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan lets in on her secrets how she trained her kids to eat healthy
One of the goals highlighted during the Tipco fruit juice relaunch held at the Stock Market Cafe was to become the nutritional partner of the Filipino mom, especially when it comes to getting their kids to eat healthy. Getting kids to eat healthy foods is perhaps the biggest challenge of any parent, no matter how much they try to convince them that it’s good for them. Yet, there are some parents, like celebrity mom Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, who have been successful in getting their kids not just to eat healthy, but enjoy it. During the relaunch event, Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan shared to us her secrets how to get kids to eat healthy.
Give kids small portions.
Unlike grown ups, kids have smaller tummies. That means that it’s normal for them to take in lesser amounts of food. It’s much better to give them smaller portions and let them ask for seconds than to overwhelm them with a towering plate of food at once.
Make the food presentable.
Whenever we dine in a restaurant, they make sure that they plate the food in such a way that it looks pretty and appetizing. The same thing should apply when it comes to trying to get your kids to eat healthy. Mrs. Pangilinan told us that, based on her experience, she found that taking a few minutes to make healthy food look pleasing and fun can do wonders to get her kids to eat healthy foods.
Taste matters for the kids.
It’s pretty self-explanatory, isn’t it? If you don’t enjoy eating food that taste blah, no matter how healthy it is, don’t expect your kids to be any different.
Don’t rush your kids when eating.
Mrs. Pangilinan explained that it is important to give your kids ample time to finish what they eat. Rushing kids to finish their food would cause them to try and do things to please you. This can leave them with an upset stomach and feel bad after. Allow them to enjoy the food they are eating. Let them savor the food and the taste.
Don’t use threats to get your kids to eat healthy.
When trying to get your kids to eat healthy, make it a pleasurable experience for them, and not some form of torture. Not only will they not learn to eat these healthy foods, but it will also stop them from teaching their own kids later on to eat healthy. Mrs. Pangilinan said she learned this first hand. In her talk, she admitted that although she is a vegetarian, she doesn’t eat a few things.one of them is ampalaya (bitter melon). Why? Because everytime she would be served that when she was a kid, her grandmother would have her slipper ready and waiting if she doesn’t finish all the ampalaya she was given.
Let them have fun.
As mentioned earlier, eating should be a fun experience for kids. This is not limited just to actually eating the food. Mrs. Pangilinan suggested to give your kids the chance to help out in the kitchen and even choose what to eat for the week. Getting your kids involved this way will actually help encourage them to taste the fruits of their labor.
Teach by example.
Kids always look up to their parents. Over time, they begin to mimic the things that you do. By showing them how much you enjoy eating healthy foods, this will eventually rub off on them and they will soon follow suite.
Now it’s your turn…
Do you enjoy eating healthy foods? What are some ways you’ve done to get your kids to eat healthy? Share these secrets in the comments below. I look forward to reading them.
Live Blogging: How to Get Kids to Eat Healthy,
About Adeline Yuboco
Twitter: Bindudesigns
says:
Very nicely said Adeline. I practiced many of the things you mentioned in the article when my daughter was young. Now she likes to eat healthy. I always told her to try a small bite of the food she has on her plate and if she doesn’t like it is fine. So, she was more open to try it. We never forced her to have any particular food.
Yes, parents should always make it a point never to make the child feel traumatized in any way while eating, especially eating new stuff and healthy stuff. Thanks so much for sharing your experience and dropping by.
Twitter: m4bmarketing
says:
All great tips Adeline and making it fun can make a big difference. I have notice a number of TV advertisements focusing on this aspect to get kids to eat healthy foods.
Yes, I noticed that in many food advertisements, especially when it comes to marketing healthy food products. Parents can take their cue from how these ads are produced to help them get their kids to try new things and enjoy healthy foods.
Twitter: jepaladino
says:
Adeline — All the advice in your post could apply to adults as well! Eat smaller portions, present the food so it is appetizing, make it an enjoyable experience and not something you rush through because you\’re so busy. True story: when I was a kid I hated oatmeal but my mother would make me sit at the table until I ate it. One day she got so angry she dumped it on my head! My mother was a very nice lady, truly. It was very out of character but over the years I look back at that and laugh. Probably not a way to encourage your kid to eat!
Oh my goodness, Jeanette. I hope that didn’t scare you away from eating oatmeal.
Now that you mentioned it, yes, these can also be lessons for us kids at heart when it comes to eating healthy. Thanks for pointing that out.
Kids need more than lessons, they need to learn how to live. Whether or not you actively teach them how to live, they’re still going to learn it . So Lead and teach by example.
Well said, Juan! The lessons we learn by example are usually the ones that we remember the most.
Thanks so much for dropping by.
i like this: “Don’t rush your kids on eating” hahaha i love it, I hate it too when someone make me rush on my foodies. This is a great post especially to our mommies.
Same here, Blair! I believe that eating with family and friends should be an experience, not a chore, even if it is just at home.
Thanks so much for dropping by.
i agree with everything you’ve mentioned above, for me taste and food presentation is utmost important to encourage children to eat even veggies, am proud to say that my children are not picky eaters, they are always after the good smell, taste, as much as possible i involve them in preparing and cooking food in the kitchen
Congratulations on that, Joy! We all eat with our eyes first, even kids. Thanks for dropping by and sharing this.
Twitter: dimaks
says:
I love how the Japanese people take on this making the food presentable to kids thing. Their obento box is a pure awesome idea. No wonder, Japanese kids do love eating veges.
That’s true! I’ve seen some of those obento boxes and I really admire the Japanese moms for taking some extra time to make them look so pretty for their kids, even if many of them live in areas in Japan where things are so fast-paced. In the end, their efforts do pay off, don’t you agree?
Hahaha thanks for the tip! I’ll make it more colorful for sure. When feeding my nephew, I used to hide the vegetables under rice XD
You’re welcome, Carizza. Presentation does wonders when it comes to getting kids to try things. I guess the reason why they are more drawn to candies and junk foods is because they look so pretty and appealing. Doing this towards veggies and the healthier stuff might entice them to do the same thing.
yes, kids do live by example. as parents, we try to live by what we try to teach them. in eating habits, we have this mantra in the house, “never say you do not like the food unless you try it first.”
nice post.
Wise words to live by, Imriz. Growing up, I remember my dad also telling me the same thing. Looking back, it was because of this that made me become more adventurous with trying new kinds of food.
Twitter: mmaacupuncture
says:
Hi Adeline thanks for the wonderful post. I can speak from experience being an overweight child that it all begins from up top. I know in some cultures it is seen as disrespect to not finish food or to deny a big plate of food due to the fact that many people come from tough times and areas where the food supply may be very minimal. Unfortunately that can be devastatingly detrimental to children\\\’s health, self esteem, and creates a burden on the child that they have to deal with growing up. Thanks for sharing this and really hitting home.
Be sure to check out Carlo’s most recent post…Dr Oz Knows Best – A Review of His Top 5 Men’s Health Tips
Thanks for dropping by, Carlo. I know exactly what you mean. I grew up hearing adults telling us kids to finish everything on my plate because there are a lot of other kids out there that’s got nothing to eat. The only problem is that more often than not, it is the parents and not the kids that put all the food in the first place. Making the kids feel guilty about not finishing their food would make things worse.
Great tips!! It can be a challenge sometimes but it is worth it to try. I also think getting them to try things while they are young helps them eat healthier later on.
I find teaching by example the biggest motivator for my kids. It is important to create the correct attitude to food for kids and it starts at home. Thanks for a great list!
Be sure to check out Michelle’s most recent post…How to Overcome Approach Anxiety
You’re very welcome, Michelle. Thanks for dropping by.