The ONLY way I can get this picky eater to try new things is to make it fun… THE ABSOLUTE ONLY WAY!
I know I’m not alone because there are Pinterest boards dedicated solely to parents with picky eater. From sneaky ways to hide healthy foods within a meal or genius ways to slice and dice their food and present it in a cute and and hopefully appetizing way. Hand this kid of mine a peanut butter sandwich and she will refuse to even touch it, tears will be shed people, real crocodile tears. But hand her a peanut butter sandwich shaped like a heart sitting beside a bow and arrow made from a pretzel and cheese and it’ll be gone in record time.
How does one not only make a picky eater choose something to eat besides chicken strips and fries AND also make sure it’s a healthy choice? This little predicament right here is a first class ticket to crazy-ville, I know because I have been there.
The older that Sofia gets the easier it seems to be, as reasoning with a 2 year old just doesn’t fly. Telling her about the importance of certain foods and why she must learn to love them works when you’re 5, not so much as a toddler.
Last week we put on our best accents, channeled our inner Sherlock Holmes and we played with our food…. our Nutritional Food Facts that is. I was hoping for 2 things to come out of this afternoon experience, 1 that she would further understand and appreciate the importance of healthy eating and 2 that I might be able to better educate myself on how to actually read the Nutritional Facts Table on the side of the box that I just pretend to know about now.
Believe it or not it’s actually fairly simple to dicier if something is healthy or made to look healthy by reading the Nutrition Facts Table (NFt). Found on most packaged foods in Canada, making sense and comparing products by the NFt is done simply;
>> Start with your Serving Size; Check to see if the serving sizes are similar
>> Next move to Percent Daily Value; Use the % DV to see if a serving size has a little or a lot of a nutrient
>> And finally Nutrient; 5% DV or less is a little and 15% DV or more is a lot. Choose the foods that have more of the nutrients you want, like fiber and calcium, and less of the items you don’t, like saturated fats and sodium.
By following the 3 simple steps you can easily determine with your little Fact Finders what’s a healthy choice and which boxed foods should probably best be used in their play kitchens and not for consumption. //learn more about reading the Nutritional Fact Table at Canada.ca/NutritionFacts
What I am hoping happens now is that after this little lesson in Nutritional Fact Finding, you and your little detectives will head into the kitchen and make some smart nutritional choices. Make notes on what you have that’s good and what items you have that are less desirable, so the next time you go grocery shopping no bad choices will be made. Speaking of grocery shopping who wants to WIN a $100 gift card to Loblaw’s (Great Canadian Superstore or No Frills)? That’s what I thought…
Thanks to a joint effort between the Food & Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC), Health Canada, Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) they have provided us the Nutrition Facts Education Campaign (NFEC) to help better educate us all on making the right choices for our family when it comes to our nutrition. They have graciously provided me a $100 Loblaw’s gift card to giveaway to one of my readers today, so waste no more time, grab your little fact finder and clear our those cupboards…. oh! yah and enter below to help with re-stocking them with better choices!
Tara says
I look through my closet and so many things are getting too snug and my daughter is going to be a teenager and needs a healthy role model…me!
Tairalyn says
Great reason!!!
Jeannie Lam says
I want to eat healthier so my kids will eat healthier. I find that no matter how much you want them to eat healthy, they will model after you.
Jenn says
I’d like to eat healthier for my kids. So they can see what it looks like.
Farin says
I want to become healthier as a family, starting with our eating. Thanks for doing this giveaway!!
nicolthepickle says
Family health problems makes me want to eat healthier.
lori butler says
my personal health and the love for my family
Suzanne G says
What pushes me to eat healthier is I know how good I can feel when I do eat healthy.
Elaine G says
I want to eat healthier for health issues. I find as I get older I’m gaining weight, I can’t eat when or what I was used to. I want a healthy heart and body and eating healthy and exercising is a must.
Amy Heffernan says
Maintaining my weight loss pushes me to eat healthier. Thanks!
Glogirl says
What pushes me to want to eat healthier is my current diet that is too high in processed foods. I want to eat healthier with more fruits, veggies and fiber in my diet.
Stephanie says
Looking at myself in the mirror pushes me to eat healthier so I can reach my desired weight.
Francine says
I have health issues where I have to watch my sodium, so I do watch what I eat
Andrea says
Mine and my families health makes me want to eat healthier!
jenn says
Picky eating doesn’t stop. My 23 year old is still picky! Lol
Sherry M says
I always eat too many processed foods. I know it’s a common problem with many who have hectic schedules. I want to eat better so I can enjoy better health.
lynnn clayton says
my health pushes me for sure
Salma says
For my kids and to have a good quality of life
Jonnie says
Having a compromised immune system pushes me to eat healthy because we are what we eat
Shirley S says
I want to eat healthier because I would like to live longer and have more energy.
Andrea Amy says
I want to feel better!
Elizabeth says
I want to eat healthy for the overall well being and health of my family.
Sarah De Diego says
I want to be able to physically interact with my kids and see my grandkids grow up!
Besos Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
Krista M says
Putting on weight the past couple years has made me re-examine what I am putting into my body & how I can make changes to live a smarter, healthier, & more energetic lifestyle. It begins with small changes & utilizing the nutrition facts table at the grocery store is #1.
Tara Betterley says
I want to eat better to improve my immune system. I have a weak immune system to begin with but, eating healthier will help me improve my personal health.
ivy pluchinsky says
I want to eat healthier and exercise more so I can be healthy and stay healthy.
LILLIAN BROWN says
I want to eat healthier as I have found out recently that I have high blood pressure
Lisa bolduc says
I just had a baby so I want to be Healthier so I can get to my previous baby weight and be active for my growing family
Robyn Bellefleur says
Over all better health for myself and my family is what pushes me.
Florence Cochrane says
I try to eat healthy and get out for daily walks to stay healthy.
Jenn says
My growing family pushes me to eat healthier so that they can also learn to make better choices for themselves now and in the future.
mike k says
i feel better about my self whenever i eat healthier everyday because theres a lot of health benefits to eating veggies and stuff
Bailey Tulak says
My 6 month old is starting solids and I’m too lazy to make him baby food, so I have to make sure what I eat is healthy for him to eat as well. Eating healthy also make me feel so much better both physically and mentally.
Joanne Saunders says
My weight and my health push me to want to eat healthier.
kristen visser says
a few things push me to be healthier! I have come a long way. I used to be a smoker (for 16 years) I have been smoke free for over 3 years now. A little bit after having my second daughter (who is 2.5 now) I wanted to not only feel confident and good about myself again, but I also wanted to be here for as long as I could for my girls. So my girls push me to live a healthier lifestyle. my husband is also a great motivator and we are doing it together. Hoping to go away on our first vacay this year so just toning up our bodies and working out throughout the week 🙂
Rhonda W G. says
I just turned 50 and I want to look and feel my best. I like eatting “clean” food. I just feel better doing so. I also find it fun trying new recipes which are a healthier version of my favorites. Recently it was an awesome banana cake with no added sugar or oil/butter.
Lushka Smith says
I’m getting older so that make me want to eat healthier. Any advantage.
Catherine Brown says
My body reacts better to fresh food. I feel the difference with I eat daily fresh food.
Soozle says
My age really pushes me to eat healthier – I am not getting any younger and realize that NOW is the time to really take care of myself so I have a long and healthy life for the years I have left!
Jana Liu says
my family wants me to be healthier and avoid getting diabetes (family genetics)
Amy C says
I would like to eat healthier to lose a little weight and get my cholesterol under control.
Angela Lombardi says
I began eating healthier to lose weight and have energy.
Monique L.S. says
I want to find the energy to interact more with my 4- and 1-year olds.
Dawn gordon says
My daughter is what pushes me to want to live healthier !
ginette4 says
I’m eating healthier so I can have more energy and feel better about myself
Maryanne says
To have energy to keep up with my preschooler!
Holly MacRitchie says
I have a beautiful 9 month old daughter, who pushes me to eat healthy! I love her, and love making healthy meals we can share together!
HEIDI C. says
I need to be healthy in order to be there for my four kids and my hubby.
Julie bolduc says
I eat healthier for my kids and for my hwlth
Tina L. says
My energy level and my clothes feeling a little snug motivates me to eat healthier
maria says
I want to be in shape and feel young
Amie says
My kids and family push me to be here as long as I can with them !
Pam says
My energy is low and I think that has something to do with the way that I have been eating.
Courtney says
My kids! I want to be healthy for them and keep up with them!
dave says
like to look good and keep up with my kids
Lori L. says
I want to set a good example for my kids and I need to eat healthier as I am trying to lose excess weight I’ve put on in the past year. Thanks for the chance to win.
Sunshine G says
More energy – whatever will make me more able to function in the mornings!
Juliee Fitze says
Would like to be around to see my granddaughter grow up.
Ira says
Extra weight 🙁
Maritess says
To live a longer life for the kids. We have to watch what we are putting into our bodies and make sure that we have the nutrients that we need.
Piroska says
My grandchildren make me want to eat healthier. I want to be around to see them grow up.
tracy k says
for my children!
Jenness M says
I want to live a long life so it pushed me to eat healthy!
Caroline says
The feeling I get when I eat healthy and workout is what motivates me.
Michelle Policelli says
My current weight loss goal has pushed me to continue eating healthier!
Lisa says
Trying to eat healthier for my kids
Ashley says
What pushes me to eat healthier? My son and baby-to-be. I want to be around for them for a long time and be able to be active and strong and keep up with them for as long as they’ll let me. Plus, it just makes me feel better all around!
Loni says
I want my kids to feel like healthy eating is the norm.
Martin Keating says
Being with my grandson makes me want to be around as long as possible
Joyce S says
I want to eat healthier because it is better for us, and so I can encourage others too also,
jan says
I feel so much better when I am eating better. Salt, sugar, etc makes me groggy and puffy in the morning.
Jenny says
My husband has been getting into running and running marathons so he has been eating very healthy. He is inspiring me to do the same. I would love to be able to catch up to him – physically and health/diet wise.
Katrina says
My family makes me want to be the healthiest I can be.
Lisa says
I’ve been going through a rough patch so I tend to stress eat and I am starting to see the effects of it. I definitely want to get back in track so I can be 100% myself again. I don’t want stress eating to become a habit!
Julie-Lynne McCann says
Feeling better and as I get older the weight doesnt come off so easily. Life is short and I want to be my best for as long as I am here…100 years is my motto.
tanyab79 says
I want to eat healthier because I notice how I feel and sleep because of it. I need to get back to eat and stop stress eating.
Karla Sceviour says
I want to live a healthy happy life and start to feel better overall.
Linda says
Having a child who watches everything I eat makes me want to set a good example and eat healthier.
Sunshine H says
I’m trying to set good examples for my daughter so she doesn’t struggle the way I have.
ginette4 says
Staying healthy for my family and myself
michelle says
getting back on track feel off as im 30 weeks and love ice cream
rose cantu says
My kid’s push me to be healthier
Danielle miller says
So that I can run after my kids not waddle. Eating healthy sets a good example for the kids too.
Doris H says
Getting older is what pushes me to eat healthier.
BobbiJo pentney says
So I can live longer for my kids
chanel deboer says
Because it’s vital for health. Thanks for the chance!
Bill says
It’s appropriaate timne too mazke sme plans
for tthe futture and it’s time too bee happy.
I’ve rea this post andd iff I coul I wwant too suggest you some interewsting thkngs orr tips.
Maybe yyou ccan wriote next articles refrring to thios article.
I desikre too rewd ven moree things about it!
Terry Mac says
To be healthy! I see too many sick people downing all sorts of junk food. Obese people drinking a case of pop a day….etc. Easier and cheaper too, just to eat healthy choices.
Angela September says
what pushes me is the fact that I only get 1 body and so I’d darn well better take care of it!! Indulging every so often is okay, but I don’t want my body to be constantly full of fats and sugars and sodium.
Wayne Lecoy says
It would be terrific to win a $100 Loblaw’s Gift Card.
In response to your question of
What pushes you to want to eat healthier?
I would like to lose some weight so
i know if i eat healthier and exercise i will be able to do it.
Thank you for having this contest.
Debbie S. says
What pushes me to eat healthier is the aging process that is happening to myself and family. Gee not sure how that snuck up so quickly. But eating healthier helps us stay healthier and happier and more time to spend doing what we want to be doing.
mohammad anjum says
want to eat healthier
Carey Hurst says
Just wanting to be more vibrant and full of life and to show my toddler how to be a healthier adult , starting him now to love food at a slow medium
Shane smith says
a long happy life with my family is what pushes me to take care of myself and eat healthier. I love this program!
Nicole Jubleew says
I’m becoming more and more sensitive to the foods I eat so feeling good drives me to eat healthier.
nicoleroannef says
it’s becoming obvious that I can’t get away with the way I used to eat when I was younger.
Seham M says
As I reach in age, I would like to have a better healthlifestyle
Mandy says
Keeping my family healthy and immune systems strong is what drives me to look for healthier foods to feed everyone.
BlessedTA says
i want to live long and healthy.
Lucy says
Thinking about my longterm health makes me eat healthier!
Rebekah Bueckert says
I always want to eat healthy for my long term health but my big push to eat healthier was when my oldest was a baby. It became apparent he had food allergies or intolerances. When we finally narrowed it down to dairy and gluten I started reading labels and making sure I was making meals we could eat as a family. And by doing that I realized how unhealthy so many food products are. Now most meals are made from scratch at home. Not that I don’t enjoy junk food still ?
Danielle says
I am feeling very sluggish so I’d like to eat healthier to get rid of that feeling
Jackie M says
I would love to control my nutrition for me and my family to ensure a longer and healthier life!
Joni W says
My weight pushes me to eat healthier. I need to get rid of a lot of it.
Angela Mitchell says
I want to feel good mostly and be healthy so I can keep up with my kids.
Leslie C says
My family inspires me to be healthier so I can be around longer!
Nicole B says
I want my kids to see good examples so they will have good eating habits!
Jenn Beckett @jennpup says
The fact that my family barely survives when I work a shift on the weekend inspires me to be healthier – they wouldn’t last long without me! 😉
GlobalEmbassty.org says
I just like the helpful information you provide on your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently.
I am somewhat sure I will be informed many new stuff proper here!
Good luck for the following!
Marcella says
Quality articles or reviews is the key to be a focus for the viewers to go to
see the site, that’s what this web page is providing.
archive.is says
Hiya, I’m realⅼу glad I’ve found this info. Τoday bloggers publish јust about
gossips ɑnd web and this iѕ reallʏ irritating. A goοd
website wіth interesting content, thіs iѕ what I neеԀ.
Thank ʏߋu for keeping thiѕ web site, I’ll Ье visiting it.
Do you do newsletters? Cɑnt find it.