Parenting Tips From the Book How Not to Die by Michael Greger

Dr. Michael Greger is a physician, a New York Times best-selling author, and an internationally-recognized speaker on nutrition, food safety, and public health issues. His latest book, How Not To Die, became an instant New York Times Best Seller. Based on the studies published in peer-reviewed scientific medical journals, Dr. Greger offers practical advice on how best to feed ourselves and our families to prevent, treat, and even reverse many of the top 15 killer diseases in the United States.

Dr. Greger's YouTube speeches are often shared widely amongst vegan activists who are attempting to transform the diets of people in their lives who may respond more to health warnings than animal rights issues. In a recent interview, he offers answers to the most common arguments against veganism, talks about the 15 leading causes of death in North America, number one being a faulty diet. A lifelong believer of plant-based diet Dr. Greger, has dedicated a website for this cause.

How to get your child to eat fruits and vegetables

Some parents may find it difficult to offer plant-based options to their kids, especially if they are fussy eaters. Here are some snippets from his website www.nutritionfacts.org where he shares tips for parents on ways to include more fruits and vegetables and whole grains, in their kid's daily diets.

• Decrease the size of the cookies: Researchers reported that decreasing cookie size led to 25% fewer cookie calories eaten so by decreasing the size of the cookie you are decreasing the amount of junk food eaten by your child.
• Add peanut butter: Addition of peanut butter may increase the intake of vegetables in even vegetable resistant kids.
• Children love cut vegetables and the most favourite shape is star shape. So cut the vegetables and fruits in different shapes to make them more appealing.
• Preschool children love salad dips with raw cut vegetables. So, parents can try making different types of plant-based dips, using peanuts, avocadoes and the likes.
• It is a common practice to hide dislike vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower. These veggies are often given in pureed form. However according to Dr. Greger, we are just buying time. Instead, we must acclimatize the children to such veggies.
• Video games do influence the children a lot. These games can be used to educate the children in following a healthy diet.
• Schools must take part in inculcating healthy diet habits in children. This is known as 'Veggecation'. One month in a day can be allotted towards this. Contests such as "New Veggie of the month" can be initiated. New slogans such as Fibre = Healthy Tummy can be incorporated. The school's cafeteria should serve healthy foods and limit junk foods.
• Children are most influenced by their parents and hence parents must be educated first to adopt healthy eating habits. Parents should serve as role models for their kids in adopting a healthy, plant-based lifestyle.

Educating your child to adopt a plant-based diet might seem difficult initially, however if you follow Dr. Greger's advice, you will surely come across many ideas for the same. For more information regarding Dr. Greger and benefits of plant-based diet, please refer to his website: www.nutritionfacts.org.