Healthy Eating for Kids (podcast)
Put your kids on the path to healthy eating for life

Dr. Mackenzie Coffin, Pediatrics, Scripps Clinic
Put your kids on the path to healthy eating for life
Many parents seem locked in a battle with their kids over what to eat. You can push fruits and vegetables until you’re blue in the face, but chances are your kids will still go for pizza, potato chips, cookies, cake and soda. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, nearly one in three children in the US is either overweight or obese and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention attributes 40% kids’ daily diets to empty calories from added sugars and solid fats. Startling statistics aside, how do you get your kids on the path to healthy eating?
In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and Scripps Clinic Carmel Valley pediatricians Mackenzie Coffin, MD, and Daniel Lichtmann, MD, discuss why healthy eating is such a big issue for kids, how to build healthy habits early on, and what hidden sugar and fat sources to watch out for at the grocery store. Habits established in childhood tend to follow a person throughout their life. Involving kids in shopping and cooking, as well as teaching mindful eating techniques and about the purpose of food could go a long way toward preventing unhealthy patterns in the future.
Having healthy, minimally processed food on hand is key. Hungry people, kids and adults alike, tend to reach for something quick in a pinch instead of preparing a healthy snack. Stock the fridge and pantry with pre-cut fruits and vegetables, low-fat cheese sticks, Greek yogurt, hardboiled eggs, and other nutritious finds. A little planning can go a long way at meal time, too. Even an icepack to keep cold lunches fresh could be a game-changer.
Listen to the episode on how to get your kids to eat healthy
Listen to the episode on how to get your kids to eat healthy
Podcast highlights
Watch the San Diego Health video on healthy eating for life.
Watch the San Diego Health video on teaching kids to eat healthy for life.