After the holidays, many people set healthy eating intentions but don’t know where to start. If adding more fruits, vegetables, or plant-based proteins like beans into your family’s diet is your New Year’s resolution, here are some fun ways to make trying something new less intimidating.
- Eat A Piece of the Rainbow
- At a meal, offer multiple types of foods that are the same color. A yellow dinner could involve roasted spaghetti squash, bell peppers, corn, and fresh pineapple for dessert. See how many foods you can find for each color. You might be surprised. Use words that describe all five senses to make it even more of an adventure!
- At a meal, offer multiple types of foods that are the same color. A yellow dinner could involve roasted spaghetti squash, bell peppers, corn, and fresh pineapple for dessert. See how many foods you can find for each color. You might be surprised. Use words that describe all five senses to make it even more of an adventure!
- Wildcard Pick
- Before grocery shopping, ask family members to pick one new food ingredient from the store circular. After, research the new ingredient and select a recipe that uses what you have on hand. A can of chickpeas can easily turn into hummus, soup or a crunchy snack. Allowing everyone to participate in each step of preparing a new food can help it become more approachable.
- Before grocery shopping, ask family members to pick one new food ingredient from the store circular. After, research the new ingredient and select a recipe that uses what you have on hand. A can of chickpeas can easily turn into hummus, soup or a crunchy snack. Allowing everyone to participate in each step of preparing a new food can help it become more approachable.
- Start Small
- Introduce new foods one at a time, in small amounts, and with familiar foods to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Trying a new activity or food together as a family makes it fun and less scary. A side dish of roasted cauliflower works well with all kinds of meals from salmon to steak.
Remember: don't give up! It might take many times of exposure for kids (and adults!) to decide if they like something or not. The goal is to keep trying and doing it together!
