We know it’s hard to think of your preschool-aged child as a teenager, but the healthy eating habits you teach them now will help them make better eating choices as they get older. The daily recommended serving of fruits and vegetables for young children (ages 2-8) is 1-1½ cups. Below you’ll find some great resources and ideas to help get your child to eat more fruits and vegetables and live a healthier life.
Bring Your Child With You Shopping
June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month and with the official start of Summer just around the corner, access to fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables in the Yuba City/Marysville area is at it’s peak! Buying from local fruit and vegetable stands and farmer’s markets allows you and your child to interact with the people who are growing the food you eat. Taking your child to the place where the produce you are buying is grown makes it a positive experience they remember, reaffirming that buying and eating healthy food is a good thing. Your child will love helping you pick the fruits and vegetables that your family will be eating during the next couple of weeks. Below are some of the places you can visit with your child this Summer:
- There are 10 permanent or semi-permanent farm stands in Sutter County that are all open this time of year.
- Hwy 20 Certified Farmers' Market
- Yuba City Certified Farmers' Market
Let Your Child Help You Make Meals
When a child is an active participant in the kitchen they are more likely to be interested in eating the meal you give them. Letting them see and taste raw fruits and vegetables in comparison to when they are cooked will let them explore the different textures and tastes that foods can have.
If your child isn’t old enough to help prepare the food, give them choices! For example, you can ask them: “Would you like broccoli or peas with dinner?” or “Would you like strawberries or apple slices with lunch?” Even if they can’t help, let them watch what you’re doing so they know the process of how food is made.
If your child is old enough to help you cook then let them tackle the tasks that are appropriate for their age. Things like getting ingredients out of the fridge, scooping applesauce into serving bowls, mixing and measuring, are all ways to involve your child. Here are links to our Pinterest boards for some great healthy meal ideas to try with your child:
At our Fusion schools we help you reinforce the healthy eating habits you’re instilling at home by providing healthy meals and snacks while your child is with us. If you are looking for a quality preschool whose staff cares about the overall health of your child, please give us a call at 530-923-7208 or visit our website.
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