Delicious Lessons: Home Schooling Kids In Nutrition

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By mia bolaris-forget

We all know how difficult it is to kick bad habits or start good ones. And, that’s why its’ important to implement healthy habits as soon as possible.

When it comes to kids, health and nutrition, as well as fitness (since they are usually always hungry and looking for fun things to do) are great places to start. In fact, when it comes to real “fine dining”, foods that are tasty AND good for you, kids can develop a taste for these foods if you encourage them to develop a taste for helping you shop for and prepare the meals. You can even buy a cookbook that’s on or just below their current reading level and that features lots of fun, healthy treats for them to try their hand at cooking at. This in addition to encouraging them to help YOU pick out a daily menu and helping your prepare it. Remember, for you making supper is a chore, for kids, it’s simply another “fun”, grown-up” thing to do. And, much like cooking for your beloved for the first time, they eagerly look forward to the finished product, its presentation, and the accolades to follow for a job well done. Plus, it offers some seriously delicious bonding time between kids and their parents, one that also offers a lesson in foods, nutrition, and even clean-up. Just remember to teach them about safety and good preparation habits first. Here are just some standard rules you may need to review (for some, maybe more than once).

1. Make sure there’s a supervisor on site: Unless they are doing something “simple”, like stirring cookie dough (for you), and after you’ve set it up, make sure there is always an adult present and on-hand to watch, guide and offer help when and if needed.

2. Make sure counter tops are wiped down thoroughly and hands are washed thoroughly before you begin Long hair should be tied back or tucked into a cap, and long sleeves and other items that can get in the way should be either rolled up or removed.

3. Make sure you have everything you need handy: This is especially necessary when it comes to items such as oven mitts, containers, etc.

4. Teach proper and safe chopping techniques: keep the sharp edge of the knife or peeler away from hands and body, and always cut downward and away from you.

5. Make sure you have more than one cutting board, one for meats and one for fruits and veggies You’ll also want to have different utensils for each of the foods you are dealing with (to help prevent contamination), unless you plan on rigorously washing after each use. And, when you “do” wash, make sure to use steaming soapy water to ensure proper and thorough cleaning.

6. Avoid raw foods: Yes, this may sound like a contradiction, but in reality what we are referring to is raw batters including raw ingredients such as raw eggs which can result in food poisoning (diarrhea), or half cooked chickens and meats.

7. Avoid cluttering your stovetop: Don’t get kids use to bad habits of laying cookbooks and other sundry items on top of the stove, that’s how fire’s start.

8. Practice proper pot and pan positioning: Its easy to knock a pan off the stove, especially when cooking with kids, so for safety’s sake turn handles to the back where they are typically out of reach.

9. Get “unplugged”: In case of fire in your microwave, remain calm, leave the door closed and immediately unplug. For stovetop fires, get a fire extinguisher ASAP. Just remember, ass water to an oil fire will only make it worse, so use baking soda instead. However, if the fire persists, immediately dial 911 or your local fire department and get out of the area quickly.

10. Make sure your “little one” understands how to use utensils and electronic appliances. And, he/she/they should know to ask for assistance when they are not sure or when the appliance they are using (such as a blender, food processor, or microwave) can be dangerous.