I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Uncle Ben’s blogging program, for 6,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.
Eating healthy is a hot topic these days, especially as it pertains to kids. With everyone’s schedules being more hectic than ever, preparing healthy food can become a challenge. And of course, kids aren’t usually renowned for their love of vegetables! So what can you do to make sure that your kids eat right now and develop the skills they need for a healthy lifestyle in the future? I’ve shared a few of my tips below, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on the matter as well:
- Create healthy versions of old favorites.
Your kids might hate broccoli, but who would ever turn down a slice of pizza? Health up old favorites like the reliable pizza and pasta by using whole grain substitutes, doubling up on veggies, and using smaller amounts of low-fat cheese. Brainstorm with your kids on ways that you can make their favorite meals the healthiest that they can be, and ask them for suggestions. This will lay the building blocks for creative cooking in the future and expose kids to different ingredients so that they can develop a wider palate.
- The food processor is your friend!
Amaze your kids by finely grating veggies like carrots, cucumber, and celery to include in casseroles or pasta sauce. You’ll be surprised how hard it is to taste veggies when you “Sneak” them in! Children will also love to assist you in making delicious smoothies for breakfast by picking out their favorite fruits. Behold, the power of the food processor!
- Play with your food!
Playing with your food is usually discouraged – but what if it could be a good thing? Call your kids into the kitchen and have them help you make fun and memorable meals. For example, Parenting.com has instructions on making everything from “Pear Penguins” to “Bug Bite Sandwiches”. What kid wouldn’t want to eat food this fun?
Uncle Ben’s Ben’s Beginnersâ„¢ Contest
Healthy eating is a reward in and of itself, but one lucky family will get an extra bonus for cooking together – in the form of $20,000 in cold hard cash! Uncle Ben’s is proud to sponsor the “Ben’s Beginnersâ„¢ Contest”, a competition designed to encourage families to start cooking together. To enter, submit a video of you and your children cooking a healthy rice-based dish and upload it to the Uncle Ben’s Facebook page. The winner will receive $20,000, a cafeteria makeover for their child’s school valued at $50,000, and an appearance on The Rachael Ray Show! Contest runs now through February 26th. To learn more and enter, click the “Like” button below to become a fan of Uncle Ben’s on Facebook and follow the link for further details.
Eating healthy isn’t always easy, but it’s important to get started so that your children get the nutrition they need now as well as they skills they will need in the future to be healthy adults. Allowing your kids to be involved with what they eat helps teach them about healthy eating habits and encourages them to experience new dishes and appreciate the joy of cooking from a young age. So tell me, moms and dads: What do YOU do to get your kids involved in the kitchen?
I love cooking with my kids! They are so much more excited about a meal that they helped cook! Thanks for the contest info!
My daughter’s doctor just told me she was suffering from poor nutrition –because she doesn’t eat. We have all kinds of healthy food lying around. Will have to try these tips.
Thanks for posting this. I LOVE to cook and my daughters are getting older and wanting to learn too. We might just have to participate.
I just made brownies last night with sweet potato puree in it! They never knew 😉
This is a fabulous contest! I use the UB microwave version all the time. Hey if I can do it…
I love to have my son cook with me and love that they are helping encourage kids and parents to cook together and be more conscious about healthy eating.