The following is a sponsored post in collaboration with GetKidsMovingNow.com. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post does contain affiliate links.
Discover this bilingual children's book series on eating healthy to motivate your kids to think about what they are eating and make wise food choices.
Summertime is a great time for kids to work on forming healthy habits to last them through the school year. Eating healthy and being physically active are two examples of this.
But it is still really hard to convince kids to trade sugary treats for fruits and veggies. Probably because they don't really know HOW certain foods benefit their bodies.
But it is still really hard to convince kids to trade sugary treats for fruits and veggies. Probably because they don't really know HOW certain foods benefit their bodies.
How to Teach Children to Make Wise Food Choices
Teaching children to make wise food choices is important for their long-term health and well-being. Here are some tips to help children learn about healthy eating:
- Start by being a role model
Children often learn by watching their parents and caregivers. Be sure to model healthy eating habits and make healthy food choices yourself. - Involve children in meal planning
Encourage children to be a part of meal planning, grocery shopping, and food preparation. This can help them learn about the different food groups and the importance of balanced meals. - Make healthy options available
Keep a variety of healthy foods on hand and make them easily accessible for children. This can include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein sources, and low-fat dairy products. - Teach portion control
Teach children about portion sizes and the importance of eating in moderation. Encourage them to listen to their bodies and stop eating when they feel full. - Avoid labeling foods as "good" or "bad"
Instead of labeling foods as "good" or "bad", teach children about balance and moderation. All foods can fit into a healthy diet, but some should be eaten in moderation. - Encourage water consumption
Encourage children to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid sugary drinks like soda and juice, as they can be high in calories and contribute to weight gain. - Make mealtime enjoyable
Create a positive and enjoyable mealtime environment. This can include turning off screens, sitting down together, and engaging in conversation.
By following these tips, you can help children learn about healthy eating habits and make wise food choices that will benefit them for years to come.
A Bilingual Picture Book Series for Healthy Choices
Enter GetKidsMovingNow.com! This website is dedicated to fighting childhood obesity due to poor nutrition and the lack of strenuous physical activity among our youth. They've started a series of books to help kids make wiser choices for healthier lifestyles.
And what makes them special and unique is that these books are available in English OR Spanish! You choose which language works best for your family or classroom.
The creators say:
"The phrase "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food" is as relevant today as it was when Hippocrates first said it. The purpose of this humorously-illustrated book is to encourage the consumption of fruits and vegetables through recognizing the visual similarities and nutritional value that exists between some foods and specific body organs. Our goal is to encourage little ones to learn healthy eating habits, as well as to try foods that otherwise they wouldn't even touch. When creating this book, we had a specific belief in mind: perhaps, given the opportunity to learn in this manner, we would not be living in a country with a high childhood obesity rate."
Silvana Sánchez Lira is one of the company's two co-founders. She's also the author of some of the books, including Eat This, Try That / Come esto, prueba aquello. It's a picture book that tells the story of how certain foods look like specific body organs, and how these foods benefit the organs nutritionally. For instance, walnuts provide your brain with healthy fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin B. And a walnut looks a lot like a tiny brain, too! It really is very clever!
This particular book is available in hardback, as an eBook, and as a coloring book. I think these would be great to go with physical fitness, PE, or sports summer camps.
The other book that Sánchez Lira has written is Junk Invasion: The Great Battle / Invasión chatarra: la gran batalla. This picture book teaches kids about good eating habits and what a healthy diet looks like. Body organs are characters in the storyline, as are junk foods and fruits and veggies. They are all fighting a battle for control of your body. It's a fun and educational read. And at the end are some activities for kids to complete that support healthy eating choices.
This series is super entertaining and the illustrations are excellent. I think young readers will love the action-packed storylines.
If you're looking for a way to sneak in some learning this summer that reinforces healthy habits that will hopefully last a lifetime, check out these books! You can buy them directly from their website.