| Gone are the days where all families eat at | | | | more likely to sit down to a family meal when |
| the dinner table, children grow up cooking | | | | they helped prepare it. * Parents get to |
| alongside their parents and one generation | | | | spend quality time with their kids. * Kids |
| shares family recipes with the next. Life | | | | aren't spending time in front of the TV or |
| seems to be more hectic than ever and kids | | | | computer while they're cooking. * Kids |
| don't often get the chance to develop good | | | | generally aren't eating junk food when |
| cooking habits, which affects their health in | | | | they're cooking a meal at home. * Learning to |
| the long run. And for some, bad eating | | | | cook is a skill your children can use for the |
| results in obesity and other poor health | | | | rest of their lives. * Kids who learn to eat |
| conditions. At an early age, kids need to | | | | well may be more likely to eat healthfully as |
| learn basic healthy cooking techniques, and | | | | adults. * Positive cooking experiences can |
| experts suggest it's well worth the effort! | | | | help build self-confidence. * Kids who cook |
| Among the recommendations in a recent | | | | with their parents may even be less likely to |
| American Heart Association report on | | | | abuse drugs. * Eating properly can help |
| overweight problems in children and teens | | | | improve memory and test grades. What's |
| were: * Reducing the number of meals eaten | | | | healthy eating for kids? Eating more fruits |
| outside the home. * Having structured times | | | | and vegetables, having whole grains and beans |
| for family meals. * Offering healthier, | | | | when possible, and choosing leaner types of |
| low-calorie foods. * Involving children in | | | | animal foods (sneak some fish in now and |
| meal planning, shopping, and food | | | | then.) So get them in the kitchen! Have them |
| preparation. Cooking with children has both | | | | help prepare meals, measure ingredients, peel |
| short-term and long-term payoffs: * It | | | | veggies, or hand mix. Involving them with the |
| encourages kids to try healthy foods. * Kids | | | | food they eat will have long-lasting health |
| feel like they are accomplishing something | | | | benefits. |
| and contributing to the family. * Kids are | | | | |