The Key Is Moderation

My daughter would live on macaroni and cheese if I let her. While macaroni and cheese isn’t the healthiest food to eat, it’s important to allow your kids (and yourself) to eat foods they enjoy as long as it’s a part of a balanced meal.

When we go out to eat or eat at home, we allow for wiggle room in the meal. It’s the 80/20 rule. This allows for an attainable goal. By being too rigid, children are more likely to rebel when you aren’t there to police their habits. The 80/20 rule means that 80 percent of everything we eat should be healthy. To make it easier for children to understand this rule, tell them that for every four healthy foods they eat, it is okay to eat one unhealthy food.

For example, if my daughter orders macaroni and cheese at a restaurant, she also orders a piece of grilled chicken and a side salad to go with it rather than just eating a big bowl of macaroni and cheese.

In this example, 4 to 1 ratio:

Chicken + cucumbers +tomatoes + spinach allows for macaroni and cheese.

Sounds easier, right?

Eating a balanced meal is something we have always done at home. Because I have been consistent with this, the children have come to expect a balanced meal and don’t question the guidelines.

So remember, it’s okay to eat foods like pizza and pasta, as long as you eat them in moderation and with other food items that make for a balanced meal.

I hope this is something you consider trying. Once you get into a routine of preparing and ordering meals this way, it will become second nature to you and your family.