Why a HealthyChart is better than a cookbook

I bet that you have at least one cookbook in your kitchen that is specific to feeding children. And if you have a fussy eater, then you probably have several cookbooks targeted at how to please your fussy eater.

Am I right?

I've been on a bit of a buying spree of  'kids' and 'fussy eater' cookbooks. I've got at least 6 of them and more are on their way. It's a bit of retail therapy, so I'm not complaining.

Within the pages of these cookbooks I am hoping to find not only that answer to the age old dilema of "What's for dinner?", but also the solution to my fussy eater.

"If I follow the right recipe, then the food will be eaten."

Makes sense. If your child doesn't like/eat what you are cooking, then you need a better recipe. Right? But is the answer to fussy eating really hidden in the pages of the next cookbook?

I'm beginning to think not.

I really enjoy reading most of these cookbooks and many of them have some great ideas that are helpful. I will certainly continue to post my reviews of these books on this blog because I believe it is important to have good resources at your disposal. But last night as I was flipping through one of my new cookbooks that was pathetic at best, I reminded myself,

"It's not about finding the right recipe The Fussy Eater will eat,

it is about developing in The Fussy Eater the desire to eat the right foods."

The real issue that parents are facing is:

The ability to develop in a child the habit of consuming a variety of foods

and in a quantity that is healthy.

HealthyChart does this. It teaches and reminds a child (and parent) what the healthy balance is. Every person is different and has different needs, but HealthyChart gives you the framework to work within. It helps in developing a habit.

Plus, as an added bonus it encourages drinking water over other drinks and is a reminder about the importance of being physically active. That's 3 for 1!

The most important aspect of a HealthyChart is that it engages your child. They are participating in an activity that teaches them good habits and encourages good behavior. When was the last time your child engaged with your fussy eating cookbook?

Engagement is particularly important if you are trying to feed a fussy child because using a HealthyChart allows the fussy eater to have a sense of control. It also diffuses any tention between you and the fussy eater, because the chart is telling them what they need to do, not you.

Recipes, menu plans and happy face sandwich cutters are all wonderful resources, but are they teaching your children a life skill?

If you haven't purchased a HealthyChart yet,

then what are you waiting for?