I was provided with products to facilitate this post. All opinions are 100% honest and my own.
It’s very important to me that my children learn about the foods they are eating and understand why we eat them. I hope that by teaching healthy eating habits early they will have a better understanding of what foods do for your body and how to create a healthy plate they will continue to make healthier choices as they grow up.
One of the things I started doing when my son was about 2 years old was teaching him what foods do for his body. Proteins help his muscles to grow strong, vegetables give us energy and fill our belly so we don’t feel hungry. This past few months my son has really become active in not only picking his foods, but shopping and cooking as well. He loves to drag his stool into the kitchen and help me fix a meal.
When building his meals I have found a really great tool that has been very helpful in getting him to understand foods and how to build a good meal. Fresh Baby and ChooseMyPlate.gov have so many visually stimulating tools for parents and children. The my plate has been so much fun to use with my son. Not only does it encourage proper portions but it helps him to follow the food charts guidelines of eating healthy.
Fresh Baby has so many different products and guides for parents and children both to use and learn together. I love the children’s portion tip sheet especially as a first time mom, when my son started eating I had no clue how much we should be expecting and encouraging him to eat.
Now that my son is older he actually likes to grocery shop with me. Having him help does a few things for him. Not only does it get him involved in making healthy choices early, it keeps him busy in the store which leads to calmer shopping trips. My son loves using the Fresh Baby grocery bag and tries to pick out foods like the ones he sees on the labels. Plus we are using a reusable bag teaching him to conserve our resources.
Another great tool is the Fresh Baby shopping list. Like the portion plate, the shopping list helps my son to see what we are buying and what category things fit in. As much as I can time allowing we sit down and plan our out lists together. I have found when it comes to getting him to eat the good for you stuff, picking out what we buy keeps dinner time meltdowns at bay because he is excited to eat what he got to pick out!
Teaching kids to build a healthy plate early can have lasting results in the long run. When we go out or to playgroup my son knows he needs to eat his protein, fruits, and vegetables before we have any treats. I love watching him tell his friends why he is eating what he is, or choosing to load his plate with healthy options. He’s almost four, and he likely won’t turn down a cookie or a treat but I take a lot of comfort in knowing he can build a healthy plate and continues to choose healthy foods in addition to the treats that are offered.
Does you child help shop or help you in the kitchen?
What is their favorite meal to make?
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My son is a whole milk plain yogurt and frozen blueberry addict, lol.
Wow, looks like a great resource. Some of mine don’t have any problems eating healthy and others I have to fight tooth and nail.
Looks like a great resource to help you keep your kids eating healthy. Must check it out.
My kids are a little older and it is dangerous to take them shopping. Those are nice visual reminders how to make better food choices.
My toddler is such a picky eater it worries me!
I’ve assigned each of the 3 older kids a meal to help prepare. It’s been some good bonding time for me with them. A for shopping, I try to do that alone for selfish reasons 😉
That is awesome that your son likes such healthy foods and helping you with the shopping.
Yes, my boys love to help in the kitchen. They actually eat better when it’s something they’ve helped prepare.
Great ideas! I love the plate.
Such a great idea!
It’s so important to teach them while they are young.
I don’t believe in grains so I wouldn’t teach that.
It’s hard to get my son to eat anything, because he is so, so, so picky! 🙁
I love your grocery List sheet!
I have one child who would eat vegetables and meat every day …. and another kid who only wants pizza, oatmeal, and chocolate. lol
Fortunately, they both WANT to eat healthy, so I can usually get them to try new things, etc.
My 4yo is such a picky eater that I have such a hard time getting her to eat healthy foods.
Love this idea!
My daughter is pretty picky so something like this would be great.
This is such a great post! It really is so important that kids learn early on how certain foods are good for their bodies.
I love that half the plate is fruits and veggies.
I hope M loves her veggies! 🙂 Kinda hard right now with her food allergies
My daughter adores her fruits & veggies 🙂
What awesome tools! My son has been helping a lot in the kitchen lately too 🙂
Very cool. That plate can def help kids and parents get those food groups in!
I love that plate! It helps put food portions into perspective for little ones
That is seriously the coolest kid’s plate ever! I love all these charts too – helps us as we help our kids eat right!
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Thanks
I love this idea. My middle LOVES to help me in in the kitchen.