6 Tips to Promote Healthy Eating Outside of School
Guest Contributor: Kelly Kilpatrick
If you talk to many parents about their children’s eating habits, you will soon come to the realisation that kids are very picky when it comes what they like to eat. Promoting healthy eating habits is a challenge many parents face on a daily basis; however, there is something teachers can do to help parents promote healthy eating habits.
Firstly, you might want to see some of our food related ideas on Teachable. Healthy eating and a guide to food groups are just two ideas.
Secondly, read the following list of tips and suggestions to help students make good eating habits part of their daily routine:
1. Turn it into a game or challenge. This doesn’t mean that you encourage your children to play with their food. Rather, look at as a way to entice them. Challenge your students to try new things and send a sheet home for parents to sign when children meet this challenge.
2. Relate different foods to their favorite characters or shows. Calling foods by different names can increase the chances of your children eating different things and liking what they eat. For example, if your students watch Dragon Tales, call the vegetables or fruits that you want them to eat dragon berries. If he or she likes SpongeBob, refer to a chicken breast as a crabby patty.
3. Use dips to your advantage. Sure, many dips aren’t that great for you, but it is easy to go online and find recipes for tasty, healthy alternative dips and make them at home. Using low-fat sour cream and spices, or plain yogurt to create dips is a great tasting, healthier alternative to mayonnaise-based dips. Organic ketchup is affordable and tastes great as well. Peanut butter and hummus are also great dips and can be paired with many fruits and vegetables. A list of great dips can be sent home with children so their parents can make them at home.
4. Have them help prepare the food. Getting kids involved in the preparation of the meal can mean the difference between eating the food and pushing it aside. Pride in what they have done is a great motivator that helps many kids to try new things. Send easy recipes that parents and kids can work on together.
5. Make fun shapes with their food. Cutting a chicken breast into the shape of a star or making and interesting pattern or face with the entrée and sides can make the meal more appealing and interesting to kids. A little extra work in the presentation of the food on the part of parents can really motivate children to clean their plate. This idea can easily be easily shared with parents so that they are able to help their kids work on this at home
6. Keep an eye on portions. Children shouldn’t be over-served, but many parents don’t know always know what size portions they should serve their children. Send home informational sheets to create a partnership between yourself and parents in order to encourage healthy eating habits outside of school.
Of course, these are all suggestions that we as teachers can make to parents; it is important however, not to overstep your bounds. Sending information home and encouraging kids to keep a log of which healthy eating habits they have been practicing can be a great idea for a project or extra credit.
This post was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick. She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24 at gmail dot com
November 11th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
A great article and i think #4 is probably the most important (imo). Getting kids ‘involved’ in whats going on and actually being able to drag them away from the dependance of the tv or games console is one of the biggest struggles these days!
November 18th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Thanks for the great entry! If you are looking for a fun and educational activity to do with your students check out the Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt’s Love Your Tree Contest. They are encouraging Maryland teachers and students to participate by creating a 2-dimensional design that celebrates their body and conveys a positive message about body image. The best part is they are giving awards that total $1200 for more details on the contest go here: http://eatingdisorder.org/blog/2008/11/14/less-than-a-month-left-to-submit-your-poster/.
November 24th, 2008 at 1:49 am
I think it is possible to never have to say “eat your vegetables” again. That’s why I wrote “The ABC’s of Fruits & Vegetables and Beyond.” There is no doubt that the foundation of a healthy diet and weight control is the significant consumption of vegetables and fruit. Unfortunately, many adults do not like these fine foods – so we must make sure kids don’t develop these attitudes. Parents and teachers interested in getting kids to develop friendly feelings towards fruits and vegetables should take a look at a new book called “The ABC’s of Fruits and Vegetables and Beyond.” Out only a few months and already being bought in quantity for class use. Suited for kids of all ages as it is two books in one – children first learn their alphabet through produce poems and then go on to more mature activities. It is coauthored by best-selling food writer David Goldbeck (me) and Jim Henson writer Steve Charney. Say hello to us at HealthyHighways.com
January 28th, 2009 at 12:45 am
Good work! Thank you very much!
I always wanted to write in my site something like that. Can I take part of your post to my site?
Of course, I will add backlink?
Regards, Timur Alhimenkov