Getting your kids to eat a healthy meal is often a struggle. You can’t blame a parent for resorting to a little trickery. We’ve all done it. I pride myself on serving fresh, whole foods and always telling my kids the truth about foods; what’s in them, what’s not, why this food is better than another for your body. But I’m also guilty of some fibbing or well-intentioned browbeating in the name of good health.
- Eat the crusts of your bread – it will curl your hair – Absolutely untrue, although I tried for years and actually volunteered to eat my curly headed sister’s crusts.
- Of course you have to eat the skin of the potato/carrot/cucumber! That is where the vitamins are – There is truth to this, as the skins of many vegetables contain the vitamins.
- If you eat watermelon seeds, a melon will grow in your belly and out your mouth – Completely not true, as the seeds will pass harmlessly, but I can tell you that I lived in fear of this every time I ate watermelon.
- Eating fish will make you smart – Another one grounded in truth, as the brain is largely composed of fat and it needs EPA and DHA to function correctly.
- Beets will put hair on your chest – My own parents used this one to try to get me to eat beets, my most hated food. Why would I want hair on my chest?
- Spinach will make you strong – Originally selected because it was thought to be much higher in iron than it is. It’s been long touted thanks to Popeye.
What can you add to the list?