Do Your Kids Know Where Their Food Comes from?

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October 31, 2014

Ask your child where his or her food comes from, and you’ll probably get an answer like it comes from the grocery store or McDonald’s. A few may even tell you that it comes from wherever you got it from. Wise kid, huh? Most kids these days don’t know or are not aware of where their food originally comes from.

Processed foods are partly at fault here, dear parents or guardians. Processed foods have invaded almost every home and stomach in developed countries around the world. We’re so dependent on them! Because of processed foods, children (and their parents) have forgotten the value and importance of good food.

A child’s health education starts with early nutrition. If you start them early on healthy foods, it will set a habit for them later. This will happen even if you don’t tell them that it’s healthy. So, it’s best to help them associate good health with yummy, nutritious foods and good memories. They may stray a little during their teen years, but they will find their way back as young adults.

Here are some tips for how you can encourage healthy eating habits in your children:

1. Take your kids to the farmers’ market. The farmers’ market is a place where farmers sell their foods directly to the buyers or consumers. It’s an activity you can share with your children by allowing them to pick out unusual foods to try. The farmers’ market has a better variety of organic produce, free-range eggs and chicken, and pasture-raised meats. It’s also a great way for you and your kids to socialise with other health minded families. You can make it a fun outing and start a tradition in your family. Furthermore, the quality and freshness of the food at a farmers’ market is often much better.
2. Remember the children’s song ‘Old MacDonald Had A Farm’? Do you remember the farm animals mentioned there? Another way to encourage healthy eating is by taking your kids to a local farm. You can show them where eggs, milk, chicken and other foods come from. You can even let them do the collecting of the eggs or milking of cows under your supervision (or someone else’s if you don’t know how).
3. Teach your kids to read food labels. You can actually strike two birds with one stone. Your children get to practice their reading skills, and you’re teaching them about nutrition as well. They’ll learn to spot unhealthy ingredients such as sugar, preservatives or artificial colouring. In addition, teaching them about food nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and fats will help your kids recognise and choose healthier food options.
4. Explain to them which foods are good for their health and which are not. Try to make it clear, simple and fun. Let them feel for themselves how satisfying a fresh, whole piece of fruit (e.g. an apple) feels. Help them appreciate its ability to aid their digestion. Likewise point out the ‘sugar crash’ they feel when the effects of that sugary treat wear off. It does take more effort on your part as parents or guardians, but your children will surely thank you later in life for orienting them towards a nutritious diet. They will suffer less from dental caries, decrease their chances of being obese, lower their risks for developing diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease and much more.

5. Start a garden. Whatever type of garden it may be, starting your own garden and including your kids in the preparation, planting of seeds, watering and harvesting. will definitely have an impact on how they view nutrition. They can watch the plants grow and ripen before eating them. This creates excitement, anticipation and a sense of accomplishment for your kids. They will enjoy cooking and eating what they've planted and looked after themselves. In fact research studies have confirmed that hands-on gardening does improve the dietary habits of children. Don’t just plant good nutrition, plant good memories for your kids too!
6. Educate yourself and be a role model for your kids when it comes to nutrition. How can you teach your kids about good nutrition if you don’t know anything about it yourself? Start learning now and when you apply what you've learnt, you’ll be teaching your kids by example. Nutrition is an easy subject to learn considering the plethora of references and resources available nowadays. You don’t even have to leave your home. Google it! Remember, you are the most important role model for your child, especially in the early years when they copy what they see you do.
7. Encourage your kids to watch you cook their meals and even take part themselves. Allowing them to help you prepare their food will also imprint in them the value of good nutrition, while showing them how fun cooking can be. Kids love to use their hands to make or cook things. It keeps them motivated.

A handy tip: To help kids enjoy their vegetables, add plenty of melted butter to make them extra tasty. Click here for more fussy eater tips.

Get stuck in now to give your children a solid foundation of healthy eating. Children love to learn where things come from so make the most of this to teach them about real, wholesome food and how much it differs from processed foods in taste, quality and nutrition. Why not let them help you cook something yummy and nutritious for tonight's dinner!