Six Healthy Family Dinner Tips by April Brewster Smythe

The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition. – Thomas Edison Anyone who has ever been on a diet and had a family to feed faces the same challenge. What do I feed my family while I diet? Now there are several ways to approach this task. You may compel your family to eat what you eat. You might go strong and make different meals for everyone in the family (not recommended). Or last, but certainly not the best choice- you continue to eat what everyone else eats, even though you know it is off the diet reservation. Really, the best way to go about this challenge is to gracefully help your family eat what you eat. Here are six ways to do just that! 1) Live-It- No Diet – Aim towards a healthy lifestyle rather than a weight loss lifestyle. Family members might really get on board for healthy meals- but dislike the idea of going on a diet. 2) Ingredients, Please! - Many people today are going vegan. People like Bill Clinton have seen immense changes in their health because of this change. A man who used to love drive-through specials like Big Macs is now using zucchini and other veggies as the part of their meals. Choose healthy ingredients in new recipes. 3) It’s Not Ronald McDonald Time – You might need to sell your ideas to your family. Ever noticed how gorgeous that pizza or burger looks as it revolves on the TV screen. Make healthy menu recipes that look just as beautiful. 4) Once a Week Extravaganza – Create a new healthy meal each week- new foods are fun to try and family members might just love the adventure. 5) Who is Fussy? – Every family has one or two members who are picky about what they eat. Pick on them! Find the healthiest foods that they love and make recipes that honor them. Eat Fussy! 6) Don’t Give Up! - More than anything –don’t give up! Keep on trying the ideas above and generate new ideas for foods, family meals, and healthy snacks.

The above tips might get you thinking about different ways to approach family meals. Remember, the family that eats healthy together stays healthy together. Ciao! Just for fun- look at Work UR Stuff, Rita Johnson's Shakeology page!