Your First Strategy: Access & Visibility
Here's a strategy you can implement today—no cooking required, no battles, just a simple environmental change.
The Research
The Fruit Bowl Study
Researchers found that simply placing fresh cut fruit alongside treats—without any encouragement—led children to eat a full serving of fruit of their own accord. Just having healthy options visible and accessible changes behavior.
Practical Tip
The 5-Minute Setup
Put a bowl of washed fruit on the counter at kid-eye level. Cut up some veggies and put them in a clear container at the front of the fridge. That's it. No announcements, no fanfare.
What Would You Do?
Consider This Scenario
It's 4pm and your kid says 'I'm hungry!' What do you do?
A Gentle Note
Don't Expect Miracles
Your child might ignore the fruit bowl for a week. That's okay. The goal isn't immediate change—it's creating an environment where healthy choices become normal over time.
Key Takeaways
- Visibility drives behavior—make healthy foods easy to see
- Accessibility matters—put healthy options at kid-height
- No pressure needed—just change the environment
Try This Week
Right now (yes, now), put a fruit bowl on your counter or move one to kid-eye level. Do the same with cut veggies in your fridge.