By Patricia Sarmiento

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Eating well is important in every stage of life. How we eat directly affects how we heal from injury, prevent illness, and cope with negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Want to keep your family on track with healthy eating? The following tips from In the Kitchen with Chef Rene Hewitt will help create a healthier lifestyle.

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Know the Benefits of Eating Well

When we think of eating healthily, we may associate that with our weight. While eating well can help diminish the numbers on the scale, there are many more reasons to eat healthier meals. For example, healthy foods equal healthy moods. Some studies show you may even be able to ward off depression with healthy eating. B-vitamins and iron are especially important for mood stabilization, so make certain you and your family are eating enough leafy greens and healthy proteins. You may notice that your ability to focus is enhanced when you eat a balanced diet. That's because proper nutrition can aid brain function and boost memory.

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Make Healthy Versions of Family Favorites

Giving up comfort food can be one of the hardest aspects of switching to healthier eating habits. One way to help make the transition easier is to experiment with recipes that are old favorites. Instead of abandoning your guilty pleasures, make them healthier.

 

For example, fried chicken can be baked to get a similar crunch. Homemade salad dressings tend to have a lot less sugar than store-bought brands. When you make your own with Greek yogurt you are also boosting gut health with probiotics, which can help with digestion and boost the immune system. Yogurt isn’t the only way to achieve this, however. Fermented foods (like sauerkraut) and probiotic supplements can help, too.

 

Check out In the Kitchen with Chef Rene Hewitt for great tips and recipes to keep your family eating well and staying healthy!

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Add Jams to Your Diet

Adding a variety of jams to your family's diet can be a delightful way to introduce new flavors and textures to everyday meals. Jams, like the tangy Cranberry and Ginger Jam, not only add a punch of flavor to toast and sandwiches but also provide a boost of antioxidants and vitamins.

 

Pumpkin Jam, with its rich and creamy texture, is perfect for spreading on warm bread or swirling into yogurt, offering a delicious way to incorporate more fiber and nutrients into your family's diet. For those who enjoy a balance of sweet and savory, Tomato Jam and Chipotle is an excellent choice. This versatile condiment pairs well with cheeses, grilled meats, and roasted vegetables, adding a hint of smoky spice and natural sweetness.

 

Lastly, Sweet Baby Cherry Jam is a delightful treat for kids and adults alike. With its bright, fruity flavor and natural sweetness, it's an excellent addition to breakfast or dessert time. By incorporating these unique and delicious jams into your family's diet, you'll not only elevate the taste of your meals but also reap the benefits of their nutritional content.

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Make Small Changes that You Can Sustain

The best way to start making changes in your family's diet is to start small. Incremental changes are easier to maintain than drastic ones that require you to make changes right away. Instead of doing a complete overhaul, focus on one change at a time. Try some healthier breakfast options, for example. By easing into changes, you can help your whole family adjust to this new lifestyle at a reasonable pace, and you may see greater success.

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Eat Organic, Grow Organic

Because the process usually produces smaller yields and is more labor intensive, organic foods are probably always going to cost more. Whether or not the extra cost is worth it, however, is going to be up to each individual family. One thing nearly any family with a yard can do is to grow a garden, where growing organic is usually cheaper, because you aren’t spending money on industrial fertilizers or pesticides.

 

You can fence off your garden for less than the expense of raised beds, which are all the rage. If you’re in the market for a new home, keep the idea of a garden in your mind when you look at potential houses. Even with the cost of New Jersey homes on the rise, being able to raise your own produce can cut down on your grocery bill and help your loved ones to eat healthier, too. Plus, the family will be more excited about the farm-to-table concept when you’re the farm and the table.

 

There are great free resources online for gardening tips. Click here to learn more about which plants grow in your area and how to take care of some common pests. Home gardening can also be a great learning experience for your entire family. They’ll get to see the plant life cycle firsthand, and understand how to manage common pests.

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Bring Kids Into the Kitchen

One of the best ways to get kids to eat dinner is to have them take part in the cooking or preparation. If they participate, they may be more invested in the meal and may be more excited to see how it tastes when it’s done. Cooking together is fun and can be a way for the family to bond. Get young kids involved with snacks they can prepare themselves. They can help with any number of fun, healthy dishes. Kids with healthy eating habits are likely to keep them for the rest of their lives.

 

If your family really gets into meal prep and cooking, you could start a side business together. You could offer in person or even online cooking classes for kids (or families) or go bigger with your gardening and open a plant or vegetable nursery!

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Help Your Family Love to Eat Healthy

Adopting healthy eating habits as a family can have numerous benefits that go well beyond just improving physical health. Eating together as a family fosters closer relationships and creates opportunities for bonding and learning about one another. Adopting healthy eating habits can also have positive impacts on mental health, as a balanced diet can help reduce stress and improve mood. Additionally, instilling healthy habits in children early on can set lifelong patterns that promote overall well-being. So, whether it's cooking at home, trying new recipes, or simply making more mindful choices when eating out, there are plenty of ways to transition towards a healthier lifestyle as a family.