Courtesy of the Produce for Better Health Foundation
With kids out of school for the summer, they are likely looking
for something fun to do. Why not get them into the kitchen? The
kitchen can be a great place to stir up some fun while teaching
kids science, math and healthy eating habits.
Courtesy of the Produce for Better Health Foundation
With kids out of school for the summer, they are likely looking for something fun to do. Why not get them into the kitchen? The kitchen can be a great place to stir up some fun while teaching kids science, math and healthy eating habits.
All ages should learn the importance of good hand washing and it’s never too early to start teaching kids about cooking. If your child is a fussy eater, cooking is a good way to get them to try new foods. Many times, they will be more likely to eat the meal if they’ve made it themselves.
Involving children in meal preparation encourages healthy eating habits and introduces them to the value and importance of nutritious, balanced meals. It also provides a chance to teach responsibility by allowing youngsters to help with household duties giving them a feeling of self-worth and importance.
“Involve your kids in cooking, meal planning and shopping,” said Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., R.D., president and chief executive officer of Produce for Better Health Foundation the nonprofit entity behind the Fruits & Veggies-More Matters national public health initiative. “In the kitchen, kids can help by measuring, mixing, or gathering ingredients while you cook. At the store, let your child select a new fruit or vegetable for the family to try.”
Some children see food as a control issue. Pivonka says that giving children a role in picking out what will be served and preparing meals will increase the likelihood that they will eat what’s on the table.
Pivonka said taking a little extra time at the grocery store to interact with kids and single out fruits and vegetables as important is another way to persuade kids to give healthy fruits and veggies another try.
The Fruits & Veggies-More Matters Web site (www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org) features materials to transform taking a child food shopping into an educational experience. It also features a series of educational activities that are age appropriate for kids ages 4 through 10. The activities are designed to encourage children to eat more fruits and vegetables.
What Kids Can Do
Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., R.D., offers this list of ways children can help out in the kitchen while at the same time learning about the importance of food and mealtime:
– wash fruits and vegetables
– tear lettuce
– sift flour
– set the table
– stir to mix ingredients
– knead dough
– spin the salad spinner
– toss the salad
– measure ingredients
– snap the green beans or break the flowerets from broccoli or cauliflower
– use cookie cutters to make fun-shaped sandwiches
– come up with silly names for your meals
– name dishes after a family member (Sam’s Summer Salad)
– get ingredients out of the fridge
– sprinkle herbs or other seasonings
– use an old-fashioned potato masher
– help clear the table after meals
– identify different colors of fruits & veggies in the meal
