4 Effortless Tips for Creating Healthy Family Eating Habits

Having a hard time keeping your family’s eating habits on track? Planning and executing healthy family meals can be a challenge, but there are a few easy ways to get your entire family to eat better. Here are some tips you need to keep in mind.

 Small Swaps Can Make a Big Difference

 Good food habits can make a major difference in the health of your family. However, getting kids to eat healthy foods can be one of the most stressful roadblocks to getting your family used to a better diet. One way to do this, without them really knowing, is to work with the textures of food to make those healthy swaps. For instance, you can use cabbage leaves instead of tortillas in your chicken enchiladas, and to be honest, your family will barely notice the difference. Cabbage still has the chewy texture of tortillas when baked, but it also has fewer carbs and fat. Another sneaky switch is to use cauliflower to cut down on the starches and sugars in comfort foods. You can create delicious pizza crusts using riced cauliflower, and pack your pizza nights with more fiber to keep your family full and satisfied.

 Meal Prep Is Important for Busy Families

 You’ve likely heard some hype over meal prepping, and that’s for good reason. Taking a few hours on the weekend to prep healthy meals for your family can cut out a lot of stress during the week. It also makes eating healthy a lot easier since you will have your refrigerator stocked with nutritious choices. When you don’t have those pre-made options available, you are more likely to give in to cravings and indulge in snacks that sabotage your healthy efforts. Give meal prep a try, and put together some breakfasts, lunches, and dinners you can reheat and eat in a flash. Freezer meals are a good meal prep option, and you can work from recipes for anything from healthy breakfast casseroles to veggie-packed burgers to keep boredom at bay.

 Healthy Food Doesn’t Need to Be Expensive

 Many families avoid healthy eating because they are worried it won’t fit into their budget. The truth is, however, preparing healthy meals at home can actually save you a lot of money. A family of four can save up to $80 or more by eating at home, rather than ordering delivery, and you will be saving a lot of calories as well. Buying whole ingredients, such as blocks of cheese or fresh vegetables, can actually be less expensive than picking up pre-made meal kits and processed foods from the inner grocery store shelves. To help curb even more of the costs of buying groceries, try to plan out your shopping ahead of time and make a list to keep yourself on track. Check out online savings sites such as Coupons.com and Red Plum to download and print coupons that can help max out your savings at area grocery stores.

During the summer, take that healthy eating outside and cook up some great dishes on the grill. Although most people associate grills with burgers and hot dogs, there are countless recipes online that can give your meals a healthy edge. Of course, when you’re dealing with a grill, it’s always important to follow safety rules to ensure no one gets harmed while staying healthy!

 Make Smarter Choices in Restaurants

 Making your meals and snacks at home is always the best way to stay healthy, but sometimes it may not be the easiest for your family. It’s okay to eat out every now and then, whether it’s as a treat on the weekend, for a special occasion, or just for the sake of time, but you should try to make healthy choices even when you are dining out. When you dine at restaurants, look for lighter menu options (most restaurants have a separate section or symbols to help you out), and always ask for dressings and sauces on the side. If fast food is on the menu, you can still find ways to stay on track. Some good fast food options for your family include grilled chicken sandwiches, rather than fried, and even a plain burger from McDonald’s.

 Eating healthy as a family can be hard, but there are so many benefits. For children, learning those good habits early can help them make better choices as adults, and for parents, eating healthy can enhance your energy and give you more years to spend with your kids. So help everyone in your family eat better starting today!

Photo Credit: Pixabay

About the Author

Lisa is passionate about educating people about what it’s like to move to Australia. She enjoys spreading safety and wellness advice to Aussies and those visiting Australia.

Website: http://aussiewell.net/