Nutrition education for kids. Do they need it?
Are you a foodie? Or maybe a nutrition enthusiast? Do you care a lot about the food you serve? Perhaps you want your kids to appreciate that ‘we are what we eat’?
I’m sure that health is important to you but it’s probably not (yet) for your children. Most kids are interested in satisfying eating experiences, not nutritional value or the food itself.
Kids know what their parents want them to eat but they associate such foods with inferior taste. They know sweets are unhealthy but it doesn't stop them from enjoying them.
Researchers at the University of Chicago divided a group of pre-schoolers into three groups. The first one was read a story about how crackers made a girl big and strong. The second group was read a story about how the crackers tasted good, making the girl happy. The third group of children was not read a story. Later when the kids were given fifteen crackers to eat, children in the ‘healthy’ group ate the least (three) compared to those in the ‘yummy’ group (seven) and the no story group (nine).
Most parents assume that nutritional education is essential but this research suggests that in some cases it can have the opposite effect.
Nutritional information is everywhere. No matter how much we know, a lot of us still struggle with our relationship with food. I don’t think nutritional education is what kids need in order to make healthy choices now and in the future, or what they need to enjoy every aspect of eating.
Kids naturally prefer sweet and energy-rich food. If they are constantly told that foods like vegetables are good for them and the foods they love are bad, it can give them a message that bad foods equal pleasure.
What can you do instead? KEEP IT POSITIVE, MEANINGFUL AND SATISFYING!
Food before nutrition. Take them shopping with you, read books and watch videos about food. Talk about where food comes from and how people in different cultures eat different foods.
Help children see the connection between eating and meaningful activities. If your child plays football, you can tell them they will have more energy if they eat a balanced meal before the game.
Keep nutrition positive by finding tasty ways to make nutritious food. There are plenty of recipes for healthy cookies, smoothies or other treats.
Don’t hide or sneak in veggies. Let kids know what is in their meal.
Give children hands-on experience with food such as helping in the kitchen, picking out items in the shop or making their own snacks.
Don’t forget that children learn by example, both by what is offered and what their parents eat.