by Veronica Bowman

Created on: February 16, 2009   Last Updated: December 06, 2011

It's not always easy to get children to eat food that is healthy for them. Some healthy foods just don't seem to be as appealing as the unhealthier ones. Many adults feel the same. There's something about spinach, prunes, broccoli and various other healthy foods that make us want to avoid them. With a little creativity, you can make the foods you least prefer, but definitely need, more palatable.

Your success in incorporating healthy foods into your diet depends partially on the attitude with which you approach the situation. Try thinking of your plan as a culinary adventure that will lead to a positive lifestyle change. Center your thoughts on all of the good you will be doing your body by eating healthy food. Eating the nutritious foods we tend to avoid can help us maintain a healthy weight, increase our energy level, and improve our mental alertness and memory. The benefits are many as are the options for ways to incorporate these foods into our daily meals.

Broccoli, cauliflower, garlic, onion, and peppers are healthy foods but not always popular foods among adults or children. One way to incorporate these in your diet is to create a pizza with them. Pizza is a favorite among most children and adults. Children are more likely to eat something that they participate in making so allow them to help create the pizza. Purchase pizza dough from the grocery store. Select your vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, green pepper, tomatoes, garlic, onion, and chili pepper if you want to spice it up. You will also need a jar of pizza sauce and whatever types of cheese you desire. Finely chop the vegetables and begin making your pizza. Children can help spread out the pizza dough. Spread the sauce on the dough and add the vegetables. If children are helping you, let them sprinkle on the shredded cheese. Add any spices you desire such as oregano and basil. Place the pizza in the oven and cook at 350 to 375 degrees until crust is slightly brown and cheese is melted. This pizza includes a lot of healthy vegetables. They are very delicious when combined with the pizza sauce and spices.

The idea of eating greens does not appeal to many children or adults. You may find it best to slowly learn to acquire a taste for various varieties of greens. Experiment with different types in your fresh salads by mixing them with varieties you know you like. When making a sandwich, add a few leaves of something other than iceburg lettuce. One way to incorporate spinach, or any other

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