Food Fuel: Teach your kids what healthy foods are good for in their everday life.

It seems like an on going battle for parents to get their children to eat healthy food even though foundation of good eating habits is crucial to a person's health and well being and will make it easier for them to lead a healthy lifestyle in the long run. 

To quote Dr. Gary Hardy in his interesting video about homeopathy and nutrition:

"Nutrition creates the conditions for health to exist."


Some children are such picky eaters that parents eventually resign to feeding them whatever they will accept, resulting in a nutrient deficient (and sometimes even harmful) diet, for these growing bodies.

Today's sophisticated children want the research and reasoning behind everything, so sometimes all is takes is to show them the value of each food and how it benefits their bodies to convince them to try it.

Here are some simple and tasty examples:

1. Coconut Water:

Benefit: This is a natural sports drink. It hydrates, gives energy and has a lot more potassium (and less sugar) than energy drinks. This means you can play better with more energy and less muscle cramps.

It is also healing and helps with post-game recovery. Professional tennis player John Isner swears by it.

How to Drink: Best taken straight from the coconut, cracked on the spot, but if that's not possible - look for a fresh one that tastes good and has NO additives. I've found that the Harmless Harvest brand at Whole Foods which has bottled coconut water with a great taste that is very close to the fresh one, and the only ingredient is organic coconut water. That's what I use when I need a bottle to grab for my son's football games.

2. Eggs:

Benefit: Eggs help build muscle tissues because they are packed with high quality proteins. Telling my boys that a food builds muscles is usually enough to convince them to eat it!


How to Eat:My favorite things about eggs is how easy they are to make! Boiled or sunny side up is minimal cooking effort. If I have extra time, I'll add mushrooms, some greens and cheese to make an even more nutritious meal for the kids.

3. Strawberries:
(Contributed by my 10 year old)

Benefit: They are full of Vitamin C which wards off sickness and promotes wound healing. Fun fact: The nutrient packed seeds are on the outside and we eat them without realizing. An average strawberry has about 200 seeds!


How to Eat:Many children actually like this fruit. Simply wash and eat. You can cut off the green part and you can slice it onto salad but it really works great just as it is. Some people will dip it in chocolate or sugar but if Vitamin C boosts your ability to fight disease, sugar greatly hinders it!


4. Avocados:

Benefit: They were listed in the Guiness World Book of Records as the most nutritious fruit known to man! Lots of healthy fats for growing, fiber for digestion and minerals for healthy bones and energy. (The Guiness comment is probably enough to get my boys to eat this amazing fruit!)


How to Eat:Slice and enjoy with a pinch of salt or lemon, or mash and add squeezed lemon, salt and cilantro for a quick easy dip (guacamole). Can be cut into cubes and added to any salad.


5. Salmon:

Benefit: Salmon is known as brain food because of the Omega 3 fatty acids. However, it's also helpful to combat depression, promote restful sleep and is a source of Vitamin D which guards against allergies.

How to Eat:Buy wild caught not farmed which is higher in Vitamin D and healthier overall. Salmon can be cooked in the oven with various marinades but my boys prefer it in a salmon pasta I make them. I usually use smoked salmon pieces but regular salmon would work too. Stir fried with onions and with whipped cream and parmesan cheese added.