For most of us eating becomes a business like activity where you trade in by eating what is good for you - vegetables, fruits, proteins etc so that you can then get rewarded with a 'treat' which is not so good for you.
But what if you learnt to pick out what is good for you because you wanted it and not because a reward awaited you? What if you could teach your kids to do that?
Let your children play with their food. Yes, you read that right. Let your kids come up with creative ideas about food. Make food time fun, at least in the beginning. Do not hurry them and make it a serious affair. Let them rearrange their food so that it looks like something they like. Let them take a little time over their food. It will save a lot of time bargaining later.
Make them part of the preparation Slightly older kids can help set the table, maybe even pick out groceries. Small chores like shelling peas or peeling bananas will make them part of the end product and motivate them to eat.
Talk to them about what food does. Do not make every meal a lecture on food and right eating, but try and tell them how fruits and vegetables and other right foods help them grow.
