Get back down to basics and enjoy fresh summer produce from your local North Carolina Farmers Market or local produce stands. North Carolina offers a wide variety of locally grown fruits and veggies just in time for summer. Local produce stands are popping up everywhere so find the one “growing” closest to your family. Are you having a hard time trying to get your children to eat fresh fruits and veggies. Have you heard the question, “You really want me to eat that?” If so then try the tips below to get your family back down to basics and jumpstart healthy eating habits for your children. The strategies are mom tested and kid approved. Check with your pediatrician to find the vegetable and fruit recommendations for your child. Vegetable and fruit requirements vary by age and other factors of your child, but generallly children need 2 to 4 servings per day. There are so many health benefits to eating fruits and vegetables, not to mention the memories your family will make when trying new recipes. Summer is here and it is the perfect time to support your child in creating healthy eating habits. Your child will thank you later.
Make it Fun:
Ants on a log: Fresh celery cut into slices (logs) with peanut butter in the middle topped with raisins (ants)
Veggie Pizza: Let your child “paint” on the pizza sauce and choose the veggie toppings from local produce. They will be happy that they created their lunch and more likely to “dig in.”
SmileyFace Salad: Get creative with presentation for your child. Take a salad plate and create a smiley face using a sugar snap pea for lips, carrot for a nose, grape tomatoes for eyes, spinach leaves for hair, and brocolli spears for ears. Let your child dip the veggie salad in ranch dressing for a tasteful dish.
Hide the veggies:
Add vegetables to casseroles and create vegetable based summer soups.
Be creative:
Experiment with raw vs. cooked vegetables and fruits. Serve a new fruit or vegetable each week. Make the veggie or fruit look interesting by shredding them. Mix shredded carrots in fresh applesauce. Make a carrot, peanut butter, and raisin sandwich.
Don’t Give up:
Studies show to be exposed to a new food 10 to 15 times before your child may actually eat it. Stay inspired by kid-focused cook books. Also don’t forget, your child is watching every move your make. Parents need to be a role model and eat fruits and vegetables as well.
Authored by: DeAnne Rosen with NC Health Plans, LLC on 6-30-2010.
For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our qualified agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.
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on Monday, July 5th, 2010 at 12:58 pm and is filed under BCBSNC Insurance, Health & Nutrition.
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