The holiday season invites families to get into the kitchen together and collaborate on the most delicious treats of the year. I recently spoke to Sandy Nissenberg, nutrition expert and author of “The Everything Kids’ Cookbook,” about the benefits of cooking with kids.
This particular book addresses the need for school-aged children to understand healthy eating, while learning to cook simple recipes for themselves. It includes popular favorites and some new ones—some foods that weren’t mainstream even 10 years ago, like quinoa, avocado, Brussels sprouts—that so many children enjoy now.
By encouraging young helpers and showing them how to work around the kitchen at a young age, they learn to get involved. Not only is an involved child appreciative about their accomplishments, they will likely enjoy eating what they have helped create.
So, the benefits of early learning, teaching, and encouraging kids likely will lead to children who grow up with an appreciation of helping, preparing good foods, and eating more healthfully. Along the way, teaching kids to enjoy mealtime, sit at the table, and converse with the family also leads to children who are better learners in school, and more independent in later years.
Also, cooking helps kids develop math and science skills. Understanding measurements, volume, cooking temperatures, why breads rise, and so forth all can be lessons incorporated into the cooking experience.
Give your child a night of the week to plan meals and help with preparing the meals. Let them take pride in their accomplishments.
Work together on creating menus and shopping lists, go together to the store to shop, measure out ingredients, gather the family to share results. Not only will they enjoy your company, but you’ll be creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Parents should encourage their children to try new foods, even if only taking one bite. One bite today might lead to more bites tomorrow.
Then, following meals, treats can be acceptable in moderation. Don’t make a big fuss over treats. They should not be used as a bribe. Offer them in moderation, and keep lower-calorie treats available, like graham crackers, vanilla wafers, and granola bars. Bring out the indulgent treats on holidays and special occasions. This way, they make the special occasion more special.
As far as holidays go, we all tend to indulge, but it’s best to do so after eating a meal rather than in place of one.
No one has to be perfect, but we can try to encourage good habits.
If I had to choose a favorite go-to treat, my preference goes toward chocolate-mint and chocolate-peanut butter combinations—candies, cream pies, ice cream.
But as far as desserts go, I always incorporate fruit and encourage others to do so as well. You can make fruit kabobs for a younger crowd, or even a chocolate or caramel dipping sauce to accompany it to make it more of a treat.
RECIPE: Winter Wreaths
