Kids Food Habits

I'm sure as parents you have or have had or maybe will have, a picky eater, or you are having problems figuring out what  is the best formula to give your newborn. Also I'm sure I'm not alone when it comes time to the finance side of food.

First if you use formula there is the huge bill for that, then comes the baby food. Deciding whether to buy or should you just make your own. Should you go organic. Should you buy or not buy junk food, soda and such. Do you go for the quick and easy or something that takes a little longer but you know has better nutrients. Then you have the bill for school snacks and lunches and the fact that your kids are constantly eating. To try to keep my house on track for the household budget I only go shopping twice a month this does work as long as you make plans, also I buy in bulk at club stores all snacks and juices.

Some experts advice that you should try to sneak in those vegetables they don't like or get them involved in cooking. The getting them involved in making their own food is good but It has not worked for me. However I have come up with a great way to get some more vegetable servings into my kids by adding carrots and celery to my spaghetti sauce. All I do is, when I saute the onions and meat I include very small pieces of carrots and celery. My kids can't tell the difference and the grownups like the slight change in the flavor.

Did you know that portion control is also important? Nutritionists will tell you that your two year old only needs half of a happy meal as far s calories go. It is important to read labels. Labels will let you know what amount you should eat and how many calories this will give you, just remember there is normally more than one serving in a package and if you are comparing products the bottom half of the list is the one you want the large percentages and the top half need to be very small percentages. This last bit of information I learned by watching Dr Oz on the Oprah show.