It might be easy to explain the benefits of healthy food and organic food to one person, but what about to families? Getting your fresh food from an organic food shop online like this one can help take some of the hassles out of the process. But how do you develop good long-term food habits as a family?
That’s what this post is about, including some tips about how to get younger kids and fussy eaters on board with the organic food choices that you’re making.
Novelty and Excitement
This might sound like something for kids, but it’s actually applicable to all ages. Getting a new ‘batch’ of groceries can be like unwrapping a present. The anticipation of the unknown, the first reaction and figuring out how to use something new all hit parts of our brain that help us feel happier and more motivated.
Those feelings are worth chasing! So, buying your groceries from an organic food shop online is a first step. The next steps are getting just slightly out of your comfort zone and picking one new organic ingredient a week to try, or having a go at a new recipe. The internet means that you aren’t limited to the three cookbooks you might own, and you can literally find dozens if not hundreds of recipes for every ingredient under the sun (trust us, we’ve checked).
Those feelings of novelty and excitement from trying new things and the satisfaction that comes from when it goes well are all part of developing great, positive long-term habits with food.
Food Focus
There’s nothing wrong with having the radio or some music on when preparing food. But when you’re eating, especially when there are a few people around, it’s a healthy food habit to actually focus on your food. That doesn’t have to mean a throwback to the 1950s with tablecloths, a formal dinner table or no TV, ever.
But a couple of times a week, turning off the TV, making sure that phones are in a different room and enjoying a meal together is a great routine to get into. This can help highlight the food and get you talking about the new meal and ingredients. All of these things can help entrench positive, healthy food habits.
Technology is fantastic. For example, you can order from an organic food shop online in advance to make your shopping easier. But stepping away from it for 30 minutes while eating can also be a great option to consider.
Presentation and Fun
The language of ‘sneaking in’ healthy foods kind of implies they don’t taste very good. But that’s not the case at all. Sometimes when kids (and adults!) ‘don’t like’ a food, they aren’t a fan of its texture, what it’s served with or even its presentation. Take carrots. Many people think they’re mushy and not nice. But what about shaved into long attractive ribbons in a salad? Or how about grated and cooked alongside a rich, herb-flavoured, tomato-based bolognese sauce? Every fresh ingredient has this same potential, so jump online and find new ways to make things. We bet you’ll be surprised at how much you can change them to suit any taste.
Prior Prep
This is perhaps the simplest but most overlooked tactic for having a better relationship with food as a family. The lead up to mealtime can be stressful. But having all your ingredients and a plan about what you want to cook in advance can reduce a lot of that. That’s why we provide an online organic food shop, along with our Sydney organic food delivery service – one less thing to think about!
