Many parents and teachers want to know how to teach kids about nutrition, but it can be difficult without relating to them. Fortunately, this list below will help you learn know how to teach kids about nutrition in relatable ways! Follow these tips below to help you get started!
Visit a Jungle Gym
If you want to know know how to teach kids about nutrition, consider visiting a jungle gym or playground. A great way to get kids interested in nutrition is to make it into a fun game. Challenge them to identify different fruits and vegetables while they’re climbing, swinging and running around the play set. If they need help, you can provide hints like “this vegetable tastes good with ranch” or “these berries are great for making smoothies.” As the kids become more comfortable, let them find their own way of playing and make up games of their own that help teach nutrition!
Go Shopping Together
Another great way to learn how to teach kids about nutrition is by grocery shopping together. Explain to your children why certain foods are better for you than others, such as frozen yogurt as opposed to ice cream. If you want to know know how to teach kids about nutrition in a fun way, consider making a game out of it: have them search the store for different fruits, vegetables and dairy products.
Create Nutritional Snacks
It can be tricky to know how to teach kids about nutrition when they don’t like traditional healthy snacks. To make learning fun, consider creating nutritious snacks together! Let your children pick their favorite fruits and nuts and take them to their preschool for lunch! If you want some creative ideas, consider bento boxes or lunch puzzles. This will not only be a fun activity, but it can also help them learn about portion sizes and the importance of healthy eating.
Play Nutritional Charades
This is another great way to know how to teach kids about nutrition in a fun, relatable way. Have your children act out different foods or even make up their own acts! Charades is a popular game during summer camps, but you can easily do it at home. For instance, they might sign banana by unpeeling a pretend banana, or jumping like a bunny for carrots. This game will help your children learn about different foods and how to properly pronounce their names.
Explain the Benefits
When it comes to teaching kids about nutrition, it is important that you explain the benefits of healthy eating habits. Make sure they understand why certain foods are better than others. Your family care physician might be able to help with this. For instance, explain that eating a variety of fruits and vegetables will help them stay energized throughout the day, or that drinking milk can help build strong bones.
Make it Fun!
Above all else, make sure your lessons on nutrition are fun! If you want to know how to teach kids about nutrition in a relatable way, make sure they view learning about nutrition as more than a lesson taught in elementary school or funner than middle school. Remember that older children might view ‘fun’ differently, so keep your lessons relevant and engaging for the age group you’re teaching.
For instance, for older kids, you could have them create an educational video or podcast about nutrition and health. You can also have them draw a food pyramid or design their own healthy meal plan.
Visit the Doctor Regularly
If need help knowing know how to teach kids about nutrition or want to keep your kids healthy, consider visiting the doctor regularly. A yearly check-up will help ensure that your child is healthy and any nutrition problems can be caught early. If you want to make sure your children are getting all the vitamins and minerals they need, ask their doctor what foods or supplements they should include in their diet.
Your doctor can also help you create a meal plan that fits your child’s nutrition needs. This will help ensure that your child is getting all the nutrients they need without sacrificing taste or texture.
Visit the Dentist
Similarly, if you want to prevent a cavity from forming and want to teach your kids about avoiding sugary snacks, consider visiting the dentist regularly. Your child’s dentist can help explain why healthy teeth and gums are important, as well as how to maintain good oral hygiene habits. Plus, a professional clean is always a bonus!
In addition, your dentist can help teach your kids about the importance of snacking on healthy snacks like crunchy fruits and vegetables. These healthy snacks can help reduce tooth decay and keep their gums strong and healthy.
Consider Hiring a Personal Trainer
For parents that want to know know how to teach kids about nutrition and also teach them about exercise, consider hiring a personal trainer. A personal trainer can teach your kids the basics of physical fitness, as well as how to maintain good exercise habits. This is important because learning proper form and technique during exercise will make them more successful in the long run. Plus, having an experienced coach by their side that is knowledgeable about nutrition can also be beneficial.
Look at online reviews and talk to friends and family that have hired a personal trainer before. This will ensure you find someone who is qualified and knowledgeable about nutrition, as well as the type of physical activity your child should be doing.
Make Healthy Choices At the Movies
When it comes to teaching kids about nutrition, consider making healthy choices at the movies. This is an important part of teaching them how to make healthier decisions in a fun and relatable way. Instead of reaching for sugary snacks or candy, make sure your kids purchase low-fat popcorn or pretzels. Or you can even opt for fresh fruit instead!
Making smart food choices in social settings like this will help your child learn how to make better health choices outside the home. Plus, they’ll be able to enjoy their favorite movie while still staying mindful of their nutritional needs.
Consider Using Videos
No matter how hard you try, sometimes it can be hard to explain nutrition in a way that’s relatable and easy to understand. That’s why it might help to use videos as a teaching tool when trying to teach kids about nutrition.
Look for educational videos or documentaries about the importance of healthy eating and how different nutrients affect our bodies. You could even make your own video or slideshow with photos of healthy food choices and visuals to explain what each nutrient does for us.
Making the lesson interesting and engaging is key! By using visuals like this, your child will be able to grasp the information better, remember it longer, and have an easier time making healthier choices in the future.
Ask About Your Child’s Favorite Foods
When it comes to teaching kids about nutrition, don’t forget to include their favorite foods. Ask your child what their favorite meals are and find out why they like them. Once you know the answer to this question, use it as an opportunity to explain what nutrients those foods contain and how these nutrients help their bodies grow and stay healthy.
Your child might also be more willing to make healthy choice if they know they won’t need to avoid their favorite meals. Show them how they can make healthier alternatives of their favorite foods and experiment with different flavors and techniques to keep things interesting!
By teaching kids about nutrition in fun, relatable ways, you can help them form healthy habits that will last for a lifetime. Be creative and think outside the box when it comes to introducing new topics – your child is sure to thank you for it later!
Consider Cooking Together
Whether your child is older or younger, cooking together can be a great opportunity to teach them about nutrition. Pick out some healthy recipes you can make together and talk about the different ingredients as you go.
Explain how these foods will help their bodies grow and have fun experimenting with different flavors and combinations. This is also a great way to introduce your child to the basics of cooking so they can gain more independence in making their own meals later on.
Some great meals for kids to make include veggie-packed pizzas, homemade smoothies, and Buddha bowls full of nutritious ingredients.
By taking the time to teach your child about nutrition in a fun and relatable way, you can help them establish healthy habits that will last into adulthood. Try these cooking tips out and see what works best for your family.
Teach Them To Hydrate
Many children struggle with hydrating regularly, so it’s important to teach them the importance of drinking enough water. Explain the benefits of staying hydrated and how it can help keep their bodies functioning properly.
To make hydrating more fun, try going to a store together and let your child pick out a reusable water bottle they like. You could also challenge them to drink a certain amount of water each day and reward them when they reach their goal. This will promote healthy habits in the future!
Consider Using Fruit Smoothies
Kids have sweet tooths and often turn to sugary treats for a snack. In order to get them to make healthier choices, it’s important to find relatable alternatives they’ll actually enjoy.
Smoothies are an easy way to sneak in extra fruits and veggies into your child’s diet without having to worry about them not liking the taste. Let them pick out their favorite ingredients, such as berries and bananas, and experiment with flavors until you find one that works for your little one!
Fruit smoothies can also be a great way to introduce children to different foods they may not have tried before. With a delicious smoothie, they won’t even realize they’re eating something new and healthy.
Consider Exotic Foods
Many other cultures have different types of foods that are both delicious and nutritious. When teaching kids about nutrition, consider introducing exotic ingredients to show them new flavors and ideas they may not have tried before.
This could be anything from plantains to durian fruit, depending on what’s available in your area! Showing kids different types of food can also spark their curiosity and help them explore different cultures while learning valuable lessons about nutrition.
By exposing children to various foods, you can help broaden their horizons and get them excited about trying new things. This is especially important when it comes to encouraging healthy eating habits. Some foods to consider include sushi, falafel, tacos al pastor, and tamales. All of these are cultural foods that are not only delicious, but also healthy and fun to eat!
Encourage Healthy Habits Outside The Home
Teaching children about nutrition doesn’t have to be limited to the home. Encourage healthy habits outside the house as well by participating in activities that involve physical activity or making smart food choices when eating out with friends.
For instance, while your child might make healthy habits when you’re present, teach them that they have to continue these habits when you’re not around. Remind them that their health and wellbeing is always important, no matter where they are or who they’re with!
Ultimately, teaching kids about nutrition in fun, relatable ways can help them form healthy habits for a lifetime. By introducing new topics through visuals, taking the time to cook with your child, encouraging proper hydration, and promoting healthy habits outside the house, you can help your child make informed and smart decisions about their diet.