Making Healthy Choices for Holiday Eating

The holidays are just around the corner already! With the advent of Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah, comes the added pressure of trying to make healthy choices for yourself and your family. The Washington Post wrote a great article to give ideas of how to make healthy family meals for yourself and, more importantly, your children during this year's holiday season. 

One of the greatest pieces of advice is to get your children involved in the entire process of planning, shopping and then making your holiday meals. You can start by looking together through menu books and websites to pick out ideas for side dishes that your kids give their approval for. Then, continue the journey by taking these ideas to the grocery store and giving options on veggies and fruits for your side dishes. You can even go as far as having your little ones help out in the kitchen while actually making some of your meals so the kids feel fully immersed in the holiday cooking tradition and will feel proud that they got to help out this year. 

This is a spectacular idea because when kids feel like they are contributing and making choices in this process they are more inclined to want to also eat the foods that you will make. Plus, if these are healthy foods, you will not only build confidence in them but also help to cultivate healthy choice making skills throughout their life.  As an added bonus, you are making wonderful memories with your kids that they will carry with them. It sounds like this season could be a win-win for all! Have a happy and healthy holidays everyone!

Kelly Fragassi

To Read More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/on-parenting/tips-to-get-your-kids-through-the-holidays-graciously-and-gratefully/2014/11/11/65899c74-639d-11e4-836c-83bc4f26eb67_story.html