It is difficult for many people to understand basic nutrition ideas. This is because a lot of food companies and restaurants try to hide the facts from us, or distort them. It is up to each and every one of us to understand food nutrition though. Simply put, there is a lot of information out there. Some of it is useful, some of it hogwash. Unfortunately, a lot of people are influenced by the hogwash, or simply ignore the useful advice. So, here are four ways to educate your family about nutrition, and trust me, they work!
Set An Example
One of the easiest ways to educate your family about nutrition is to set an example. Prepare healthy meals, and take your family to restaurants that prepare healthy food. While eating this food, let them know about the recipes and explain why the food is healthy. A lot of restaurants are starting to list their nutritional information, and almost all food you buy in the store is labeled. Let them know you can eat a healthy meal that also tastes good no matter the budget, ingredients or location. Before you serve a meal, let your family know how much fat, sugar and salt the meal has. They will be surprised that a healthy meal can taste so great. If you set a good example, people will be influenced and possibly follow your habits.
Become A Teacher
A lot of people learn the food pyramid as kids, but they may not understand it. Teach your family the importance of all the food groups, and why some food groups should be avoided. Let them know why fiber is good, what cholesterol is, and why high amounts of sugar are bad for the human body. Of course, you are simultaneously going to have to introduce them to healthy alternatives to their current diet. Many people eat hamburgers or other bad food because they do not realize they can enjoy the taste of healthy food.
Give Examples
When you hear of someone with health problems, let you family know why they had a health problem. A lot of people develop diabetes or cancer because of their diet. Tell your family what type of diet this person had, and what foods they could have eaten to avoid the problem.
Team Effort
Your children will eventually get to the age where they can really help you out in the kitchen. When you cook a meal or prepare a snack, let them help. They can see the exact ingredients you are putting into a healthy meal. They will truly learn what it takes to make a delicious and nutritious meal, and hopefully carry on this tradition to their family someday.
A healthy diet is not something that comes easy to most. To teach your family the importance of eating well, you must set a great example and walk them through the process. While a lot of advice may not be followed exactly, if you take your time, eventually your ideas and recipes will get through to them.
Jemma Brinkley writes about parenting, nutrition and health. As a nurse, she contributes to the Associates Degree in Nursing Guide.
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