Does this sound familiar? You are at the grocery store, and in every aisle you hear “Mom, can I have that?” or “Dad, can I try that?” Usually they are referring to candy or chips or the latest weird color of Mountain Dew. I hear those questions a lot, so my husband and I came up with a plan to quiet the kiddos, reward them for good behavior at the store, AND promote healthy eating.

When we shop, our last stop is always the produce department. It’s hard for me to resist all the stacks of beautiful fruits and vegetables, and it turns out they interest my children, too. Our rule is that, if the kids have behaved in the store, they get to pick out any type of fresh fruit or vegetable to try. Sometimes, they pick out a fruit that only needs to be washed and peeled before eating. Sometimes they pick something that requires research and a recipe- fun things for the family to do together. We’ve tried starfruit, kiwis, eggplant, crimini mushrooms, mangos and others this way, and the kids love it! They are much more willing to try a new, unusual food if it was their idea in the first place. The promise of exotic produce is a great way to keep them in line while I shop. And, most importantly, they are learning that fruits and vegetables are a treat worth savoring. A win- win- win situation!

The next time you are at the store and your kids are begging you for a bag of candy, tell them you have another treat in mind and try my suggestion. They’ll be happy that they get a goody and you’ll be happy that it’s good for them!