Food and food preparation need not be a mystery for kids. Children need to learn which foods and snacks are healthy for them and which are not. They need to become adept at preparing healthy foods for themselves, their siblings and their friends when parents are not available. We need to eat to live. Learning to feed oneself is an important and natural part of living.

Kids are capable of getting dinner started before busy parents get home from work. Become a participator. Get involved in choosing menus, creating shopping lists, and in going to the grocery store to assist with the food shopping. You will be amazed at how many exotic, interesting and delicious fruits and vegetables have been unknown to you when you become familiar with your local market’s produce department!


Let’s look at some easy, quick and healthful snacks that kids can make and enjoy all by themselves:

• Peanut butter on crackers
  
• Cheese on crackers
• Raw or dried fruits or vegetables
• Baked apple with cinnamon and raisons and, if you like, Marshmallow Fluff
• Yogurt
• Soup
• Cereal and milk
• Leftovers from dinner the night before
• Pre-washed and cut bagged salad with dressing
• Popcorn
• Nuts, sunflower seeds, trail mix
• Hummus

There is nothing so complicated about cooking that a young person who can read and follow instructions could not do. If your parents don’t want you at the grill or at the stove, be the meal planner, the table setter, the vegetable washer and cutter-upper, the clean up brigade.

When was the last time you flipped through a cookbook to see what looks yummy to you? There’s no time like the present!!