Original URL: http://life.familyeducation.com/nutrition/foods/29513.html

Help Your Kids Eat Healthier Food

by Betsy Van Dorn

"Leave me alone." "Get off my back." They may not be saying that to your face, but the message is there: I'm independent now. Don't tell me what to eat. And they're mostly right. But at home, you still wield a lot of clout. The trick is to use it subtly.

• Don't buy high-fat, high-calorie junk foods. This is not teen abuse. Adolescents are free to exercise their independence and their own money.

• Stock up on bagels, pretzles, flavored rice cakes, and breakfast cereal. Keep a plastic bag of carrot and celery sticks in the refrigerator, along with a savory dip. Teens are creatures of the moment. If there aren't any potato chips in sight, they'll grab the next best thing.

• Independent tests in a number of households show that teens will reach for a pitcher of lemonade over a can of cola--if some noble adult has had the foresight to prepare it ahead of time. By the way, add lots more water than the directions call for...less cloying, more refreshing and economical.

• Chat with your teen about his or her favorite movie star or athlete. What's attractive about their looks? What does nutrition have to do with body shape, a great smile, shiny hair?