Happier, Healthier and Richer You with Four Healthy Eating Habits

We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded by advertisements, commercials and endorsements from celebrities.  All having a common goal in making us think that drinking Coke is the new black, biting into a burger from Carl's Jr. makes us sexier and TV dinners are perfect for all of us folks that are pooped by the end of the day.

While these are all attractive ideas, they don't make us a healthier society, nor teach our children anything about living a healthy lifestyle and the consequences of not doing so.

I try to lead a healthy lifestyle myself--something that my mother passed down to me--and I definitely want my children to live the healthiest and most fulfilling lives themselves.

There are four specific things I do with my children on a daily basis that not only saves money, but teaches my children a healthier lifestyle and good habits:

1. Drink Water.  I don't give my children sodas, juices (occasionally at restaurants and lunches), or any other drinks filled with sugar.  For any parents who know the effects of sugar on a child, I don't care how perfect your child is, sugar does make them a little crazier, wild, or shall I say "over-energized" (and not in a good way!).


2. Brown over White.  We eat brown rice over white rice and whole grain bread over white bread.  Not only is eating whole grains healthier, they satisfy your hunger faster.  Brown rice and whole grain bread are a bit pricier than their counterparts, but because you eat less of it, they actually cost less on a per meal basis (make sure you read the labels, not all whole grains are created equal).


3. Balsamic Vinegar as Dressing.  Parents in general have a tough time feeding their children veggies.  My daughter had no issues with veggies until she went to preschool (I guess she felt a little bit out of place).  So in order to get our family's daily veggies in, we dress our salad with balsamic vinegar.  It has a sweetness and bold flavor that makes the salad sophisticated and yummy enough for a child's palate.


4. Fruits for Dessert.  I have a sweet tooth and so do my children.  Instead of giving them candy, chocolate, cake or cookies, I offer them fruit.  They have the choice of eating an apple with peanut butter, frozen blueberries or an orange.

There are other things that you can do on a daily basis to meet the needs of your family's lifestyle.  Even these four simple things go a long way for my family.  We are healthier, happier and ultimately richer.  Teaching my children about healthy eating is priceless and will stay with them for the rest of their lives.