Eating healthy is becoming more and more of a challenge, especially when you have to think about your whole family. When there are so many unhealthy options around, so much junk food at every step of the way, it’s really a feat managing your family’s diet in the right direction. If you have a soft spot for empty calories too, then the task is twice as difficult, but anything can be achieved if you set your mind and cooking skills to it.

There are plenty of foods that can help you in serving healthy meals to your loved ones and there are also various ways to approach the subject. We will talk about these foods in the article, as well as about other tips and hacks that you can try to steer the eating habits of your household where you want them to be.

Keep It All in Sight

If you’ve got children in your house, then you know that there is no way to hide sweets from them, which is why you should get rid of the temptations all together. You don’t need chips, cookies and sodas lying around when you’re well aware your little ones can’t resist them. Instead fill your house with fresh fruit and veggies that are always available to snack on. When you hide them in the fridge or the pantry, chances that anyone will reach for them are slight, but if you set them on the table in front of the TV, on the kitchen counter and in the dining room, things will change. When there are no sources of empty calories lying around the house, your kids and yourself will go for an apple, strawberries, grapes, whatever suits you best. This habit alone will allow you to ingest much less sugar and you’re supplying your body with much needed nutrients, so it’s a win-win situation.

Go for the Whole Grains

Switching to whole grains makes a big difference and allows your family to eat a lot healthier without trying too hard. Switch to whole-wheat bread, go for healthier version of pasta, and don’t forget about wild rice, barley and quinoa, just to name a few. Having super healthy meals is much easier when you’ve got whole grains on your side and even if you’re not familiar with preparing them, you’ve got the internet full of recipes to help you. Whole grains have many beneficial effects on your metabolism, they are widely available and quite affordable. Consuming whole grains regularly makes it easier to maintain healthy weight, they can help in lowering your cholesterol and some grains are rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin C and calcium. In short, you really can’t go wrong here.

Have Oatmeal for Breakfast

Many people are dismissive of oatmeal because it’s bland and not very satisfying to the senses, though its nutritional value can’t be denied. However, there are plenty of ways to make things more interesting, all you need to do is use your imagination. Oatmeal is an excellent source of fiber, which in return is indispensible for optimal digestion. What you might not know about eating oatmeal in the morning is that it keeps you full longer, so you, your kids and spouse won’t be as tempted to go after some unhealthy snack on the go. There may be some fussing about eating oatmeal in the morning, but you can always make things more interesting by allowing your kids to choose what kind of fruit they want to put into it and we wholeheartedly recommend dried cranberries, they are very sweet and nutritious. If you want to make it all extra special, melt some dark chocolate and mix it into the oatmeal, results will be delicious.

Give Meat-Free Meals a Go

Lean protein is good for you and your children that are constantly growing, but you shouldn’t insist on having meat with every lunch or dinner. Especially when it comes to red meats, you should make sure that the portions are smaller and you should in general eat it rarely and whenever possible, go for a vegetarian option of your favorite dinner. Thankfully, there are plenty of meatless options to choose from – veggie burgers, vegetable lasagna or any kind of stir-fry, all you have to do is find what your family likes best. If you’re a kitchen wiz, then whip up some new recipes yourself, innovation is always welcome and if it tastes good, you can be sure that there won’t be any meat-related complaints at the table.

If you want for your family to eat healthy, just shifting your diet habits toward wholesome organic foods will make a world of difference. It might take some time and persistence, but when you persevere in making delicious, healthy meals that are so much better than processed foods we’re surrounded with, you can be sure that your household will learn to love it quickly. – Vanessa Davis

Vanessa Davis is a 32-year-old fitness enthusiast, mother of two and content writer at www.diet.st. She’s originally from Long Island, New York, and when she isn’t cooking up some new health and fitness article, she enjoys doing yoga and figuring out new, delicious organic recipes for herself and her kids.