I had a great time talking with NPR’s Shelley Irwin of the WGUV Morning Show out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
I was honored that she invited me to be a live guest, trusting me with her listeners to provide valuable and actionable advice related to the release of the new Give It a Go, Eat a Rainbow.
I love sharing ideas with parents about how they can encourage healthy eating patterns with their kids.
Read on to get actionable advice, plus an offer to receive my latest book on family nutrition for FREE.
Make snack-times and meal-times positive 
If kids don’t want to taste a food that is new to them, don’t force it. Describe veggies in a positive or neutral way, such as “these carrots look crunchy” and “this kale is bumpy.” Then, praise your kids when they try a food and ask them to describe it with words such as “this onion smells spicy” and “this lettuce is earthy.” Let kids play with their food. Bring out a child’s creative side by making “edible art.” Ideas can range from a character with a cucumber head and celery stick body to a caterpillar created by arranging carrot circles on a plate. Simple activities, such as a grocery store scavenger hunt in search of “a purple veggie to go with dinner,” can go a long way in getting kids interested in foods. Have fun. To develop a childlike playfulness with food within your own self, practice poses that open your heart and chest areas, enhancing feelings of happiness. Try spending a few moments every day in camel, a supported backbend, or simply stretch your arms overhead and over the back of a chair to create more space for breath in your chest. Then it’s off to have fun with a snack or at the dinner table with your child!
Commit to a plan for healthier eating for the entire family
Developing healthy eating habits for your child takes a long-term strategy and requires constancy and commitment. Just like setting an intention for each yoga class, setting an intention for healthy eating within your home is key. You need to model great eating habits and get creative about involving your child in meal preparation. Exposure is also paramount. The more often kids are exposed to veggies, the more comfortable they will be when veggies appear on their plates. In my new book, Give It a Go, Eat a Rainbow, I use photographs of real veggies mixed with illustrations drawn by my son (think Augmented Reality, the new craze today with kids) to help tell the story of the protagonist, Blake. Blake “feels sleepy” (lacks energy) before going on a magical journey and learns that fruits and veggies are the key ingredients to energetic living. Eating healthy for energy is a lifelong journey that takes commitment. Some of my favorite poses for practicing commitment are balancing poses such as half moon, tree and especially crow pose.
My hope is to live in a world where kids beg for their veggies rather than one where parents have to beg kids to eat them. And parents respond with centeredness, positivity, and commitment.
Interested in how YOU can Make Nutrition Fun? Start our Make Nutrition Fun online course for FREE here.
This course includes simple yet actionable advice about how you can make healthier living fun AND within your reach (for the entire family).
You’ll receive helpful tools including the Meal Matrix, SEE food plan, and pantry setup guide.
And as another special gift for you, receive the #1 bestselling book, Make Nutrition Fun: End Food Fights and Find Family Peace in Just 30 Days for Free!
Here’s what Marci Shimoff, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author and Transformational Leader had to say about the book:
“Who knew nutrition could be so fun? Kathryn Kemp Guylay marries the practical with the hilarious. The result: A healthier and happier you. I loved this book!”
To listen to the live interview on NPR, listen in to my conversation with Shelley. She has such a wonderful voice, demeanor, and way of telling great stories. Listen:
