HOW TO BE A GOOD NUTRITION 'DIRECTOR'
In many households, one person is in charge of food shopping -- and has lots of power.
Here are some tips to do the job well:
Get rid of your own misconceptions: Whole-wheat bread and low-fat ice cream might have tasted like cardboard when you were a child, but many products have greatly improved.
Avoid open-ended choices: Instead of asking, "What do you want to eat?" offer two or three nutritious options.
Don't reward non-eaters: If a child doesn't eat dinner, no favorite snack later in the evening. If you can't stand seeing him hungry, offer something "plain" such as a piece of fruit.
Don't replenish treats right away: Junk food and sugary drinks should be for special occasions, not part of the everyday supply.
Create easy access to produce: Wash and slice fruits and vegetables and store them in visible spots on the counter or in the refrigerator.
Share what good foods can do now: Kids may not relate to the word "health" or talk of future wellness. But they'll like hearing about strong bones and muscles, smart brains, clear skin and shiny hair.
