*This post was sponsored by the National 4-H Council as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
I know I have shared here many times over how my youngest is a truly a picky eater.
So, meal times can be challenging even in the best of circumstances.
Yet, I know how important healthy eating is overall even from the youngest of ages.
For this reason, I have done my best to try to stress healthy eating as much as possible with my kids.
Recently, I learned about the 4-H Food Smart Families.
What is the 4-H Food Smart Families?
The 4-H Food Smart Families is a program that helps to create more food secure homes by teaching families how to plan, shop and prepare healthy meals on a budget.
But how does the 4-H Food Smart Families accomplish this goal?
The 4-H Food Smart Families is able to do this by using “teens as teachers” model.
What does this mean?
See more than 400 teens have been trained to be mentors to teach families with younger kids and their parents to to shop better and cook smarter for themselves.
But why does the 4-H Food Smart Families exist?
Because nearly 16 million children live in homes that don’t have access to consistent food let alone healthy foods.
So UnitedHealthcare and 4-H have partnered to help with this program. They have been able by doing this to deliver healthy living programs to more than 340,000 youth and their families in 14 states.
They have also had even more positive impact, such as :
- 90% of youth participants now think being active is fun and good for fitness
- 89% now encourage their families to eat meals together
- 87% said their families have purchased healthier foods
- 86% now eat fruit for a snack over unhealthier options
But back to how I have re-enforced healthy eating in my own home.
Here are the 4 ways I have keep healthy eating habits alive and well at meal times with my gang…
1. Meal Prep as a family unit.
By having my kids hands-on to help, I have modeled healthy eating in the foods we prepare and thus eat. Even with my picky eater this has helped her to eat more and healthier as we have tried to make eating and meals as fun as possible.
2. Avoid using the “H” word.
When I did make or serve food, I honestly do my best to not use the word “Healthy” if possible, especially for my picky eater. The word, itself, just seems to lend to more eating battles. So, whenever possible I refrain from saying the word out loud.
3. Go Slow, but DON”T give up.
Eating healthy is a process, but when beginning to introduce healthy eating I would recommend going slow. Taking it too quickly or replacing all the unhealthy eating habits all at once could backfire. As could giving up on your family too quickly could very well have the same adverse effect, too.
So there you have it some simple ways to help to make meal time fun, but healthy at the same time for your family.
To learn more about the 4-H Food Smart Families, find them below at:
• YouTube
How do you help your family eat healthier?
Share with me in the comments…
Kenya G. Johnson says
This isn’t good right off, but I concentrate on eating healthy all by myself at first. It pays off later as I continue then my husband wants to eat better and then my CHristopher has no choice 😉
Janine says
I can totally understand that and trust me it helps to let my gang see me eating healthy off the bat, as well here too 😉
Seana Turner says
Sounds like a wonderful program. It’s funny how “healthy” can be a turn off to little picky eaters. I think getting the kids involved definitely helps, and I also can say that my pickiest eater now eats almost everything. She didn’t really broaden her eating until she went away from college, and then she came home and ate all these things she never would have touched while living at home. Funny!
Janine says
Aw, thanks for the update on your picky eater and definitely does give hope to me if nothing else!! 🙂
Meredith Spidel says
What a fantastic program! And thanks for the tips–so needed with summer here!
Janine says
Thanks, my friend and glad to share some help for the upcoming summer, too here 😉
William Holland says
I’m afraid that horse left the barn a long time ago in our family, but I love this program and I hope it succeeds. Thanks for sharing it with us and Happy Tuesday my friend.
Janine says
Thanks so much, Bill and Happy Tuesday right back at you now!! 🙂
Jhanis says
Such a great program, Janine! And I so agree with prepping the meal as a family. Each time I let my son help me in the kitchen, he eats more. The 6yo, not so much. LOL i swear I’m running out of ideas to get this kid to eat. One thing that works is to eliminate snacks so she’d get hungry that she has no choice but to eat! Or I just give her healthy snacks every few hours.
Janine says
Definitely good advice and I agree too much snacking has in the past caused more problems with healthy eating and my picky eater, too.
Jen says
What a great program! I love 4H! These are great tips too. I think that involving everyone in the prep and even shopping process helps kids to definitely get more interested in their food choices and what goes into a meal.
Janine says
Couldn’t agree more with you, Jen and seriously this group rocks for this and more!!
Diane Roark says
Janine,
I think it is so much easier to eat healthier when you are introduced to healthy food at a young age. It has been a struggle for me because I did not eat anything healthy as a child. It was all fried and loaded in fat and calories especially the Southern desserts that I love. I have struggled with eating healthy all my life.
This 4-H program sounds WONDERFUL. We all know Americans need to learn to eat healthier. Great ideas. I have always tried to get my kids to help in the kitchen. I feel like they will at least try it if they made it.
Thanks for sharing,
Diane
Janine says
Aw, I think you are amazing and awesome, Diane. I know you do have your kids help in the kitchen from knowing you over the years. So that is definitely one great way to help with this. Thanks for sharing with me and seriously always appreciate your support and input here 🙂
Mary says
When I was younger my Mother didn’t worry about health eating it wasn’t until I was a teenager my Mom notice we were all a little overweight and she started baking instead of frying and vegetables appeared with meal. 4-H looks awesome, I’ve never heard of this program. Thanks for sharing.
Janine says
Happy to share and I know so hard to try to be healthy, but glad organizations like this are available to try to help nonetheless.
April says
Making healthy food choices is a struggle when you’re always rushed, as most of us are, but it’s so important. I love how 4-H is involved. Great post.
Aunt Gloria says
Good food choices are so important. Glad 4-H is advocating for them. It doesn’t cost a lot of $$ to eat well and healthy. xxoo
Janine says
I agree completely and just happy to share about 4-H here xoxo 😉
Echo says
Meal prep as a family is such a good one! I also think that having at least one family meal together a day, if possible, also helps!
Janine says
I agree totally with you, too about having at least one meal as a family a day. Great tip and thanks for sharing with me, as well Echo 😉
Tamara says
I’m such a 4-H fan – always have been and always will be. I have one picky eater and one not!
Janine says
Me too on both fronts, my twin!!! 🙂
Leslie says
The struggle is real, mama, and I’m right there with you. Our middle can be extremely picky, and we’re working on it. Definitely agree that getting kids to help cook is a great way to reduce picky eating. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
Janine says
Happy to share and just glad to know it isn’t just us with the picky eater issues, too!!
AnnMarie John says
Looks like a fantastic program. I try and eat healthy by first buying healthy. I keep junk food to an absolute minimum in my house.
Janine says
Same here as if I had junk food in the house I know I would have trouble staying away from it!!
Christine Carter says
Ah yes- we are working on this every day! It’s so hard when you are SO BUSY with sports and summer activities, to actually even cook! Thanks for these great tips and a wonderful reminder too, Janine. 🙂
(Btw- I entered that book giveaway but there wasn’t anywhere to comment..? That is an AMAZING giveaway!)
Janine says
I agree 110% and no worries I closed comments on my end, but if you entered you are good to go, Chris 🙂
catherine gacad says
I love 4H. They are a great organization and help out with a lot of local community events.
Janine says
I couldn’t agree more with you, Catherine!! 🙂