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By Sarah's World member Melissa Chapman-Mushnick
(Add Melissa as a friend) The mountains of children’s dirty laundry seem insurmountable, and during the school year our schedules are compounded with checking homework, the "I have nothing to wear" daily clothes crisis and getting to and from after-school activities.
 With so many demands on our time, it’s easiest to head for the nearest take-out food place and pick up a quick pizza or burgers. By 6 p.m. not many parents have the energy to go home and start preparing a meal! However, according to Susan Moores, MS, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, cooking with your kids is well worth the worth the extra work. However, if your kids are still drinking out of sippy cups be prepared to do a little more clean-up! If parents take the opportunity to cook with their kids and incorporate healthy foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes and lean meats, it can ultimately set the stage for the types of foods their children will eat for years to come.
Here are just a few of the benefits of cooking with your kids:
• It encourages kids to try healthy foods.
• Kids generally aren't eating junk food when they're cooking a meal at home.
• Kids aren't spending time in front of the TV or computer while they're cooking.
• Positive cooking experiences can help build self-confidence.
• Kids who learn to eat well may be more likely to eat healthfully as adults.
And most important of all, cooking with your kids doubles as terrific one-on-one quality time - while you’re chopping and stirring you can easily strike up a conversation!
For more information and a few healthy kid-friendly recipes to boot check out www.webmd.com, www.foodnetwork.com, and www.homeandfamilynetwork.com
Readers have left 2 comments.  1. Posted by nannygirl on 2008-01-31 04:14:58 my boys 4 and 7 love to cook and help in the kitchen and they will eat anything THEY make. 2. Posted by Kentgirl on 2008-01-31 13:19:55 Also it will benefit the parent with them - encouraging them to eat healthier too, not just the kids. |
