Together a c1 3 us shopping.

Amanda niver: yes, we're getting it done today, for sure.

Speaker 1: we are.

We're in kroger.

We're kind of in the produce aisle but what we're talking about right now, kids.

Amanda niver: kids.

Speaker 1: there's so many sugary cookies and fun treats out there that they probably want to eat, how do you trick them into eating healthy?

Amanda niver: it's probably one of the biggest questions i get from people is, how can i get my kid to eat healthier?

I've got some great tips for you.

I think the biggest thing is is that, the more you get your kids involved in the kitchen, in cooking, in deciding what meals they're going to eat for dinner, sitting at the family table, the better they're going to be in terms of eaters.

Amanda niver: one of the things that i love to do is to incorporate more produce, more vegetables into your child's diet, which is not always an easy thing to do.

Speaker 1: not at all.

Broccoli's not always as appealing as that sugar cookie.

Amanda niver: yeah, and i think the biggest thing is, is that if they have access to a lot of junk food in the house, then they're not going to make the healthy options.

Number one, try to limit the amount of process and junk food that you leave in the home and try to load up on some of these really convenience foods.

Sometimes the hardest part about eating an apple is the fact that it's not cut, it's not washed.

Speaker 1: it takes work.

Amanda niver: it takes work.

Speaker 1: it takes a lot of work.

Amanda niver: exactly, so when you have some of these pre-sliced, prepackaged items that your kids know that they can kind of grab and consume, they're going to make those healthy choices quicker.

Speaker 1: this makes it so much easier and especially if you're packing those in lunches, it's not going to get, 'cause you know sometimes you get that apple in your lunch as a kid and it was like brown.

Amanda niver: brown, exactly.

You didn't have the lemon juice on it.

I love this kind of stuff.

Speaker 1: those are perfect.

Amanda niver: i love to introduce different colored foods as well.

Peppers are a really awesome fun snack that kids don't typically eat.

A lot of times the red and the orange are a lot sweeter so these are great again, to kind of leave in the refrigerator that they can grab and go at any time.

Speaker 1: what do you recommend?

Chopping these up into slices and just leaving them in a big bowl all the time?

Amanda niver: eat them whole.

That's what i love about these small, sweet peppers is that you can just grab one and eat it whole after you wash it.

Speaker 1: which, i wouldn't even think to be that, do that.

To be honest.

The fact that you're bringing those kids, that's probably cool for them to eat as well.

Amanda niver: exactly.

I love to leave produce, fruits and vegetables on the counter cut up, ready to go and then that way when they're hungry, it's right there in front of them.

Speaker 1: ease, always beats the good stuff.

Amanda niver: yes, there's also a lot of these great prepackaged little snack packs that they can grab.

I love these, the ones with the fruit and the veggies in them.

They've got a little bit of nuts.

I love trail mix, i think that's another great, healthy snack that children can consume.

Speaker 1: it's so convenient that they have so many packages like this but let me ask you, sometimes all that glitters is not gold.

Are there any of these kind of snack packs that you need to be staying away from.

Amanda niver: well definitely the ones that have more of the candy and the cookie in them.

Those are not going to be as appealing as something like this.

I always want to look for the ones with fruits and vegetables.

More whole food nutrition as much as possible.

Speaker 1: and i love how you talk about incorporating kids into the cooking process.

Amanda niver: so important.

Speaker 1: how young do you start?

Amanda niver: as young as possible.

Get some nice spoons and spatulas.

Get them on their little stools.

Get them helping to mix and chop everything.

The more they're involved, the more likely they are to consume the healthy foods.

Speaker 1: okay, say they're surrounded by their friends, they all have cookies, they all have chips, they want something with that sweet or salty edge, what's the best go to?

Amanda niver: my favorite is apple and peanut butter.

I love apple with peanut butter, banana with peanut butter but i think everything is about balance and moderation.

I try to keep a very healthy home and then we enjoy treats and snacks outside the home.

When we're at the movie or the birthday party.

They still get exposed to it plenty.

Speaker 1: it starts with the parents in the home.

Amanda niver: you have to be a good role model, for sure.

Speaker 1: sometimes easier said than done.

Amanda niver: i know.

I know.

Speaker 1: but thankfully we have you here to teach us.

If anybody wants to get a hold of you and has any questions on how to make their kids eat healthier, how can they get a hold of you?

Amanda niver: you can find me at amandaniver.com.

Speaker 1: and you have recipes there, don't you?

Amanda niver: i do.

I have lots of recipes.

Speaker 1: can't beat that.

All right, thank you.

We're going to go shopping some more.

Stay with us.