Healthy Eating: Conversation starters

Say why eating healthy is important.

• “Your health is important to me. I care about you and want you to live a healthy life.”
• “A healthy diet can help protect you from high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, bone loss, and some types of cancer.” 

Talk about small steps.

• “Little changes – like drinking water instead of regular soda, and eating more vegetables and fruits – can make a difference in your health.”
• "How about replacing regular cheese with low-fat cheese in your favorite recipes?"
• "Try eating fresh fruit – or fruit canned in 100% juice – for dessert instead of sweets."

Take the lead. Do it together.  

• “There are simple things we can do, like trying oatmeal or whole-grain cereal for breakfast.”
• “Let’s go grocery shopping together for healthy foods.”
• “Let’s try to cook and enjoy a healthy meal together at least twice a week.”
• “Let’s try eating at least 2 vegetables with dinner.”
• “Next time we go out to eat, let’s share a meal. Or we can each order our own, but only eat half. We’ll save the other half for lunch the next day.”

Offer to help.

• “How can I help you eat healthy?”
• “What is the hardest thing about eating healthy? What can I do to support you?”