Tips for Reducing Processed Foods in Your Child’s Diet

The real struggle is—kids love anything that comes in a brightly colored package. While packaged foods may be a convenient choice for busy parents, they come with a list of ingredients that one could barely pronounce and nutritional content that will make you go cringe. 

But the main question is: how do you make your kids switch from processed foods to wholesome choices? 

Indeed, processed foods are difficult to escape—from school lunches to birthday parties, it’s everywhere. However, instead of replacing it completely, you can begin by limiting the consumption. 

With little changes, you can move a step closer to developing healthy eating habits in your child. 

Did you know that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 3 American children consumes fast food daily? The figures are whopping, but there are ways to turn things around.

Read this article to explore some of the most helpful tips to reduce the proportion of processed foods in your child’s diet.

Read this article to explore some of the most helpful tips to reduce the proportion of processed foods in your child’s diet.

The phrase ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ is indeed true. The same saying goes here too. In short, a completely processed, food-free diet cannot be incorporated into a day. Therefore, it's essential to start with gradual changes. So instead of cutting out every snack your child loves, swap one or two processed items for healthier alternatives. 

For example, you could replace that sugary granola bar with a homemade version or your kid’s favorite fruit. This slow swap ensures a smooth transition without making your child feel deprived.

Besides, you could also replace those terrible sugary drinks with water infused with fruit flavors or milk as a healthier alternative. You can keep the sugary beverages for special occasions, though.

It's easy to make grocery shopping a fun yet educational experience by helping your child read food labels. You can make them learn how to compare products and look at the ingredient list. Besides, you can ask them to find the hidden sugars or additives lurking inside. 

According to the American Heart Association, kids should consume less than six teaspoons. However, the statistics say an average child eats triple that amount. 

The power to make healthier choices comes eventually with knowledge.

Smoothies are not just for breakfast. In fact, they could be served any time of the day. You can prepare a variety of smoothies by blending in fruits, vegetables, or some Greek yogurt for that extra creaminess. For an additional nutritional boost, you can toss in some chia seeds or flaxseeds. 

Almost every kid loves the taste and is a great way to sneak in extra nutrients without the processed sugars found in many packaged snacks.

The little tummies love to snack a lot. So instead of reaching for a bag of chips or a sugary delight, you can keep some nutritious snacks handy. 

From dried fruits to fresh fruit slices, veggies, or homemade mixes, there are endless healthier choices waiting to be made. You can prepare them ahead of time or store them in the refrigerator so that they’re conveniently available, just like the processed packages.

The key is to never make any food ‘forbidden’. This is because when you make something off-limits, it only increases the desire for it. Moderation and balance are what you need. While it’s okay to have that cookie or piece of cake at a birthday party, it's equally important to balance it with healthy, unprocessed foods throughout the week. After all, sometimes strict rules backfire.

While cutting back on processed foods, especially in your kid’s diet, may seem like an uphill battle, you do not need to make this transformation overnight. Simply starting with gradual changes can really go a long way. At the end, you’re helping your kids build a better relationship with healthier food choices.