Did you know that your student is trying new foods and making recipes in the classroom?
INEP teaches kids about healthy eating in fun and creative ways. Ask them what they think of the nutrition lessons and recipes they have been preparing and tasting in class.
There are also many opportunities for families to become involved in healthy eating and active living at their child’s school and at home.
See the sections below to find out more!!
Did you know that one of the best ways to get your children to eat healthy foods is to involve them in the kitchen? Kids are more likely to enjoy foods when they see, touch, and smell the food while they help prepare it.
Here are some ideas on how to involve your child in the kitchen.
The tips below are great for all ages:
Help plan the meal.
Ask them what they want to cook and eat. Together look at MyPlate to include all 5 food groups.
Clean surfaces before and after cooking.
Wash fruits and vegetables.
Open packages.
Measure, pour, and stir ingredients.
+ Practice math skills by counting ingredients!
Crack eggs.
Cut soft food with a plastic or butter knife.
Set the table.
And of course, help clean up!
If your child is in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade, they can help even more in the kitchen!
Follow the recipe.
+ Cooking recipes is a fun way to practice reading
and math skills, like fractions!
Read food labels.
+ See our Winter 2015 Newsletter to learn about the Nutrition Fact Labels
found in your products.
Peel and cut foods with supervision.
Prepare a meal or snack with a few ingredients on their own. Try using one of our recipes below.
Your child may be able to do a lot more than you think. Remember to be patient, and have fun together in the kitchen! Kids eat best when they have fun experiences with food.
Back to TopHere are some of our Student’s favorite INEP recipes that they are making in their classrooms. Try making these at home with your kids!
Need
something new, healthy, and tasty for dinner tonight? Check out the many recipes available at What’s Cooking through USDA.
What’s Cooking (English)
What’s Cooking (Spanish)
Free Adult Nutrition Classes may be offered at your student’s school!
Learn to eat better while spending less.
Ideas on how to make healthy, easy meals and snacks, and how to make exercise a habit.
Learn about Food Safety and how to identify healthy ingredients.
Receive free gifts at every class and a book and diploma on graduation!
Ask all your nutrition questions!
To find out when the next nutrition class is
scheduled at your student’s school, please contact a
Parent Class Coordinator
Want
to eat healthy and stay active? There is no better way than doing this together
as a family. Be healthy and encourage your kids to do the same.
Your kids learn from watching you. Eat fruits and veggies and your kids will
too!
Use these tips to eat healthy with
your family:
Serve fruits and vegetables with every meal.
Suggest, but do not force, your child to take a bite. Give lots of praise for trying a new food.
Kids
learn to like foods they see and taste more than once. Ask your child to try a new food more than
once, but remember that tasting new foods is their choice! Make trying new foods a positive and fun
thing for your child.
+ Ask
your kids to describe the new foods while they are tasting it. Are they sweet
or sour? Crunchy or soft?
If you food shop with your child, ask him or her to pick out a new fruit or vegetable to try at home.
Make dinner time family time. Turn off the TV or computer and talk about your day.
Exercise is more fun when you do it as a family. Children need 60 minutes of active play every
day! (Learn More)
Adults need at least 30 active minutes
a day, five times a week. (Learn More)
Here are some tips you can follow to meet those goals:
Take a walk together as a family each night after dinner. Make it a family habit!
Enjoy your together time during the weekend by being active in fun ways. Play tag with your kids.
Have a family dance party when you are cleaning up together after dinner.
Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Celebrate special occasions – like birthdays – with something active. Try fun activities like hiking, soccer games, or playing Frisbee at the park.
When shopping, park at the far end of the parking lot and walk to the entrance.
Be positive about the activities your child does and encourage them to be more involved in new activities and sports.
Encourage your child to talk about how physical activity makes them feel and how much fun they have when they are active.
Remember that you and your child spend a lot of time sitting in front of TV, computers, or at a desk. Fight the urge to sit more when you get home. Set an example and get moving together as a family!
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