In recent decades, prepackaged foods high in sugar, sodium and preservatives have flooded the marketplace and are readily available at every supermarket and convenience store throughout the country. As a result, the average child in the U.S. is less healthy today than the average child was 30 years ago.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that the childhood obesity rate almost tripled in this country from 1980 to 2010 – climbing from a mere 7% to a whopping 18%. In addition, childhood diabetes is on the rise. Nearly 151,000 young Americans under the age of 20 have been diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

With these alarming statistics in mind, many parents are becoming more and more concerned about making sure their kids are eating a healthy, balanced diet. To help parents help their children develop good eating habits, Pita Jungle offers a fun, healthy kids’ menu filled with nutritious and tasty options that kids will love.

Tips for Forming Healthy Eating Habits in Kids

Encouraging good eating habits in young children is essential to starting them on a lifelong path to overall health and wellness. Getting kids to eat fresh, healthy foods is not always easy, however. Below are a few tips on how to help kids form eating habits that are healthy now, so they will continue to make good choices in the future:

1. Take your kids grocery shopping with you. Your local supermarket offers countless opportunities to begin discussing healthy eating habits with your children.
2. Let kids help with meal preparation. Getting kids involved with the preparation of fresh, healthy meals teaches them that eating healthy can be fun.
3. Model the eating habits you want for your children. We all remember our parents telling us, “Do as I say, not as I do.” Well, when it comes to healthy eating habits, modeling the behavior we want for our children is the best way to teach them how to make healthy choices themselves.
4. Give your kids choices. When children feel that they’ve had a choice in the meals they eat, they’re more likely to enjoy eating them. When dining out in Arizona, take your kids to Pita Jungle, where they can choose from a variety of fresh, healthy foods on our kids’ menu.

Following these simple tips can help to start your children on the right path when it comes to making wise food choices. Find a Pita Jungle location near you and help your kids start forming good eating habits today.