how to best reach kids & teens

[shelah]

i know a family that wants to try to incorporate more raw into their life. the dad asked me if i knew of any particularly powerful reasons to present to his 8 and 12 year old kids that would really convince them that this might be important enough to give a fair try.
can anyone suggest such an approach? something with some kid appeal? they are now accustomed to eating alot of junky food, school lunches, etc. and not very adventurous.
thanks to all :)
many blessings,
shelah

[VeryBerry]

The best way to "convince" kids to eat raw food is to make tasty raw dishes for them. Most kids love smoothies, that could be a place to start and then go from there. I think the important thing it to make eating raw food fun for the kids, get them involved in the food preparation and prepare a variety of kid friendly recipes.

Most kids will not be persuaded by intellectual arguments. I don't think it is a good idea to try to persuade kids who are eating junk food to go 100% raw right away, I would introduce it gradually and let them choose to eat raw food because they like it. If the parents are eating it they are more likely to followtheir example.

May be the family can watch "supersize me" together. I heard that it turned a lot of people off junk food.

[luckitri]

Well I could use some more ideas but maybe it is a hopeless cause. I have shown them the movies on-line about factory farms and milk and others but they still eats their meats. Other kids like my raw stuff but my kid - never!

[Rawkinlocs]

Depending on the kids ages and their previous diet, sometimes it is very difficult to get them to eat raw dishes but MOST (not all, such as my little brother) like or love fresh fruit. Most kids will eat fruit leather as well (mine like it tart and sour so I add lemon juice to the mix).

I'd say that simply incorporate more fresh fruit into their diets. Start buying less junk or just stop buying it altogether and have bowls of fruit lying around on counters, tables, etc.

One of the things I also did was to have them recall how most of our family members are in and out of hospitals, sick, on medication, obese, or all of the above and I tell them that I am trying to get them to eat healthier so these things that so-called "run in the family" won't plague them later in life.

I can see that while they still like their junk, a LOT of what I have educated them on and instilled in them the past few years stuck with them. My eldest son is trying to go all raw - the one who was the biggest challenge in my entire household.

So, my vote is to provide the kids with all the fruits and/or veggies they like or love and dimenish the junk food choices. I made the ,decision to stop buying certain things but allowing others and eventually those will end up being weaned away as well.

[Sharon in Colorado]

If the father is convicted he just makes the change, and makes it fun and encouraging and educational along the way. Depending on their upbringing, he'll be met with resistance or respect. Hopefully it'll be the latter.

[shelah]

thank you all so much for some great thoughts!! my instinct was similar -- set the example, offer really yummy foods and keep it fun, not dogmatic.
any further info/ideas are welcome!
many blessings to all,
shelah

[Shmoopie]

I would think that one way to get to kids is through desserts lol. They like junk food...so tell them that going raw means they can have brownies (RP's brownies) for lunch if they want to and it'll actually be good for them. Let them try ice cream, almond butter cups (found a great recipe for that by the way, if anyone needs it), raw pies and cakes, etc. Make them, let them try them, and after they realize they like it, let them know that eating this way will allow them to have ice cream for breakfast if they want because it's all actually good for you. I think that kids who are that young would be more inclined to try this out if you can play up the raw versions of "junk food" because really none of it is junk food...and at the same time, they don't feel like enjoyable food is being taken away from them.

[DavidZaneMason]

Although not a parent, my opinion is that the best approach is to be a healthy, happy, confident and successful example / person.....that happens to eat all fresh, raw plant food. THAT is a powerful example.

-Also: Keep the home and their bag lunches well stocked with healthy, fresh fruit / vegetable alternatives....and healthier processed alternatives if they ask for it.

-I'm a proponent of giving the kids an allowance (when they are old enough) to choose a portion of their own diet.....and to allow them at least 1 meal per week that they prepare for everyone in the family...that they chose and made.

-What do you think?

-David Z. Mason

[tvillemom]

Shmoopie, I WANT THAT RECIPE!! Yes, I have to agree with everyone here. My kids are 6, 9, and 11, and I have just been offering them more RAW foods, and letting them try everything I make. I know they may not change over to 100% raw, BUT, I feel like they eat TONS better than how I was brought up. My mom cooked all the beef, TV dinners, bologna sandwiches....when I think of how I ate then, it's a wonder I'm alive today. At least the kids will know more, and can make better decisions when they are older. Good luck to your friends.
Wendi

[Raw Mom]

I have a sixteen year old. I started raw by myself. After about 2 months, she asked to start juicing with me. I give her a big juice of something every morning. She takes it to school with her and all her friends ask her every day what today's drink is? I also give her nuts and fruit to take to school or she can have the salad bar there when it looks good. She made the choice. "There are two ways of spreading the light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."
Edith Wharton

:)

[Shmoopie]

tvillemom, I posted the recipe in the recipe area.