According to experts, eating healthy is getting harder and harder for people in the United Kingdom. A study by the Food Foundation revealed that more than 4 million children in the country can’t afford to eat healthy diets. The study further elaborates that 47 percent of households in the UK could meet the spending parameters detailed by the government’s Eatwell guidelines.

But keeping your family healthy through good eating habits is more important now than ever. There are plenty of easy and affordable ways to boost your family’s health.

The following are a few efficient and cost-effective methods you can use to enhance your family’s nutrition.

1. Set a Good Example

If you want your kids and the rest of your family to eat healthy, you should set a good example and be the first to do so. Instead of drinking fat-lade milkshakes, why not mix up a bunch of powdered superfoods? Instead of snacking on chips, you could cut up crispy vegetables, like bell peppers and carrots, for a nice crudité. Be the first to eat healthy and showcase to your family how easy and delicious it could be.

2. Have a Proper Sit-Down Meal

Nowadays, it can be very difficult to convince the entire family to gather around the dining room table a share a meal. But doing so can help you monitor what everyone else eating and how much of it they’re consuming. Having a sit-down meal can also be a great bonding opportunity. So insist that you and your family share a meal a few times a week.

3. Switch to Healthy Snacks

You and your kids probably eat a lot more snacks that you realize. Whether it’s after a morning of fun activities or while watching your favorite television programs, snacks are ubiquitous. Instead of opening packets of chips full of empty calories or eating cakes stuffed with sugar, switch to healthier alternatives. Fruits should be your first choice because they pack delicious flavor as well as essential vitamins and nutrients.

4. Mandatory Breakfasts

Breakfast is the most important meal because it can set your caloric intake for the entire day. If your family eats a filling breakfast, they’ll be less likely to turn to sugary snacks when they get hungry. Insist that everyone grab a proper breakfast before beginning their day. You can prepack a healthy breakfast for your loved ones if they have to leave early.

5. Choose Water

Whenever you or your family get thirsty, resist the temptation to open a bottle of soft drinks or similarly sweet beverage. Instead, choose a bottle of water. Hydration is essential in keeping healthy and helps flush out waste products from your body. You can make your drink more interesting by infusing it with lemon slices, cucumber cubes or orange peel.

6. Individual Servings

During your sit-down dinners, instead of putting all the food in large serving plates in the middle of the table, have family members fill up the plates in the kitchen instead. If they truly are hungry, they can simply stand up for a second serving. This could reduce the portions they eat and help maintain a reasonable diet.

7. Decrease Sugar Consumption

Research by the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation discovered that British people are eating nearly three times the amount of recommended daily sugar. Too much sugar can lead to poor dental health as well as increase your risk of developing diseases like diabetes. Find sugar-free alternatives for your diet. Instead of ice cream, try yogurt. Use honey to sweeten your tea. And reduce desserts that are loaded with excessive sugar.

8. Cook Your Own Food

When you want to have more control over your diet and nutritional intake, you should start cooking food in your own kitchen. Takeaway restaurants and similar establishments aren’t usually particular about the nutritional content of their meals. If you want to ensure everything your family eats is healthy, making it fresh out of your kitchen is the only way to go.

9. Reduce Salt

Eating too much salt can be just as bad as eating too much sugar. An excess of sodium can lead to problems with your kidneys, bladder and gall bladder. Be careful when you’re seasoning your food with salt, especially after it’s done cooking. Remove the saltshaker from the dinner table if you really want to prevent family members from using too much of it.

Eating healthy doesn’t always have to be an expensive endeavor. Sometimes, a few smart choices can be enough to ensure you and your family start getting healthier. Use these tips wisely to begin your family’s journey to better nutrition and enhanced well-being.