FOR RELEASE:

(Stillwater) Most mothers agree that feeding their family is very important, but many obstacles get in the way. Families juggle busy schedules that mike if difficult to eat together or even have time to grocery shop or prepare meals. So what’s a mother to do? The American Dietetic Association offers some easy practical tips.

Make mealtime family time: Try to have a least one meal together daily. Eating meals as a family can help your child’s food habits. Children who eat with their parents tend to eat more fruits, vegetables and dairy foods.

Be creative about ways to have family meals: You many want to try changing the time of family meals so you can have family meals together. Are there creative ways you can work family meals into the busy schedule. One example might be to have a tailgate picnic before or after practices or games.

Involve the family in meal planning and preparation: Give children easy things to do to help with meal planning, food shopping, preparation and cleanup. Children are more likely to eat foods that helped plan and prepare.

Be role model: Parents often tell their children to eat healthy, but then they don’t follow the same advice. Help set a good example for your children. Healthy eating needs to be a family lifestyle that begins at an early age.

Try new foods: Try to include one new food or recipe each week. If you want your children to eat more trying new varieties such as tangelos can be a way to discover foods your family will want to include more often.

Have healthy snacks available: Keep some healthy, nutritious snacks available that are easy to grab and carry such as crackers and peanut butter, small boxes of cereal or raisins, fresh fruit, pretzels, or plain popcorn. It’s not as easy to be tempted with other snacks if you have easy nutritious snacks available to go.

Dine out wisely: Select restaurants where you can choose menu items that allow you to create a balanced meal. Many restaurants have Web sites where you can find out information about menu items. Some Web sites provide nutrition information for menu items. This information can help you choose a restaurant and plan meals ahead.

Prepared by:

Janice Hermann, Ph.D., R.D./L.D.

Nutrition Education Specialist

301 HES/NSCI

Cooperative Extension Service

Stillwater, OK 74078-6111

Phone (405) 744-4601

Fax (405) 744-1357

janice.hermann@okstate.edu