Eating Healthier as a Family

I have never had to diet, I’m very fortunate in that way. However, over the past year, I’ve had health issues, nothing concerning, just something I need to control mostly for my own comfort.

So I’ve had to diet… and it is not natural for me in any way. I’m already a picky eater and to be picky for healthiness has been really hard for me.

However, I have found a few things that work for me when it comes to eating healthy.

1. Find a handful of go-to recipes that we like. No need to keep coming up with new things all the time, just find the few you like and stick to them. You can always add a new one in later.
2. Plan ahead when you can with those go-to recipes and shop accordingly.
3. Snacks get me every time. Have healthy snack choices on hand.

I’ve also come to realize the term ‘healthy’ means something different to everyone. So I’m not here to preach what is healthy or what isn’t — that’s for you to determine.

The first step is to set a goal for this month.

I want us to focus on eating healthier as a family. Striving to eat better than what you normally do. Whether that means to forgo my Diet Mountain Dew that I think I need every day, or to say no to dessert a few times a week. Or just adding more fruits and veggies into the diet this month.

What is it you’d like you and your family to achieve this month? What are your action steps to achieving it?

For example: A goal could be to eat less sugar. The actions steps to that would be to replace sugary drinks (my daily soda) with a lemon water, and to stock up on snack foods with less sugar to eat when I’m craving something.

Download the Eating Healthier Goal Sheet

Research!

This is the hardest part for me. But probably the most crucial.

Let’s take a moment to research how we can strive towards our goal.

Can you just modify what you’re currently doing? Do you need to substitute something in it’s place to help you achieve your goal (swap out a lemon water for my diet soda). Or do you need to find a handful of recipes that will help?

Browse through Pinterest for ideas.

Make a plan to eat healthier!

Whether you start from scratch or use a meal plan service — The Fresh 20 and Prep Dish are both great options.

Download the Meal Plan Sheet

Shop & Cook together as a family

Sometimes including the kids in a shopping trip can be daunting, you can make it a fun activity though if you’re thinking ahead.

Write on a piece of paper the items you’re looking for (um…. your grocery list…). If you have a non-reader, you can cut labels off of the products you already have, or print out photos you find online. And then make it a scavenger hunt to help find them in the store. Really, this doesn’t need to be a big deal, but putting it in the kids hands to help look for things helps entertain them!

Remember to include some go-to snacks that are healthier than your usual so you don’t stray off course. I remember reading something once that most people can eat well during their meals, but snacks always get them. So let’s try to make that a point this month to stay on track between meals.

Include the kids in prepping and cooking the family meals for the week. Talking about why you’re choosing to eat what you are.

Your Homework this Month:

1. Download and print out this month’s calendar and put it somewhere you’ll see every day
2. Download this month’s supply list and check your stock to see what you need. Add to your supply as needed.
3. Download and print out this month’s weekly activity plans. Let your child(ren) look through them to see the fun they’ll be having soon! Have fun doing these with your kids!
4. Set an “Eating Healthier” goal for this month for you and your family.
5. Research and find ways to achieve your goal. What snacks or meals can you try as a family?
6. Download the Meal Plan Sheet – try it for a week and see how it works for you and your family!
7. Report how this goes in the The Activity Room: Member’s Only Facebook group (this is a private group).