We’ve already talked about the importance of showing your kids how to eat healthy rather just telling them. And while your kid is more likely to practice healthy eating habits if they see you doing so, it’s also important to make sure they have a small understanding of why you make those decisions.

This is my mom!

Growing up, I never heard my mom say she was eating healthy to be thin. I don’t even really remember hearing her talk about her weight or her body image. She was my mom and I wanted to be just like her! (I still do.) It wasn’t necessary for me to know how food would affect my weight, but she was always sure to tell me the facts on the food she was feeding me.

“This carrot juice is good for your eyes and skin.” — so I drank it, even though I really didn’t like it!

“These Brussels sprouts are SO good for you.” — so I ate them. (Ok, I only would ever eat just ONE of them. But now I love them!) She probably tried cooking those suckers 10 different ways to try to get my brother and I to eat them. Congrats Mom, it worked. I love them and voluntarily make them. A lot.

“Tomatoes have a ton of vitamin C, help fight cancer and kidney stones, and are a great source of vitamin K.”– Not gonna lie, I still hate them. But sometimes I eat them anyways. (Hey, some tastes are just inherent.)

“Take this fish oil. It’ll make you smarter and make your skin pretty!” — She knew just what to say to appeal to my inner-nerd. I took it every day before my ACT my junior year. I’m giving Mom and those supplements all the credit.

Those are silly examples, but I think they make a great point. I would never have tried any of those things (Brussels sprouts?! Gross. I still can’t believe they are one of my favorite foods now.) if Mom hadn’t made it a point to make them available and tell me they were good for me.

My advice to moms with younger kiddos would be to take that approach. Lead by example, but also get them genuinely interested in their food. Food is so cool! (hence why I’m spending 4+ years studying it)

Thanks to my mom, I love veggies as a study snack,

I get fruits baskets instead of candy for surprise treats,

and I fill up on wholesome foods (mostly), instead of junk to get me through my day.

Let the kids help plan meals, grocery shop, and cook. Focus on the health benefits and tell them about it. It can be general information-  Fruits and vegetables have vitamins and minerals to help our bodies work right and not get sick. Protein helps us grow muscles. Milk gives us strong bones and teeth. Nothing too complicated.

It’s a great starting point, and will help your kids grow up knowing the impact foods have on their health (even if they still have to force a tomato down every now and then.)