This Nutrition Month “Simply Cook and Enjoy!”
Written by admin, March 14, 2014
March 14, 2014 – March is Nutrition Month and this year’s theme is “Simply Cook & Enjoy!” Across the country Registered Dietitians are encouraging Canadians to get excited about healthy eating and embrace cooking in their daily lives.
There is a growing concern regarding a potential lack of home cooking and loss of cooking skills among Canadians of all ages. Shifting values, busy schedules and increased availability of prepared processed meals are just some of the factors that translate into diminishing food preparation skills.
“For children, learning to cook helps them to make better food choices and cook for themselves as they grow up. Helping out in the kitchen also promotes life skills in other areas such as literacy, math and science,” said Erica Diamond, Registered Dietitian and Public Health Nutritionist at Peterborough Public Health. “Cooking with kids can take a little more time, but it’s worth it!”
Here are a few tips to keep cooking with kids relaxed:
- Keep it simple! Give kids easy tasks, such as stirring, reading the recipe, measuring or passing ingredients, when you’re in a hurry. Involving children in simple, small ways can help to make them feel welcome and confident in the kitchen.
- Cook when you’re less rushed like on weekends, when you can take more time to teach skills. Teach them how to hold a knife, crack an egg and use a whisk, and how to safely use the toaster. Consider their skill level and get them to help you in ways that slowly build their confidence and skill level. Consider signing up for a local cooking class with your child or watch online cooking video tutorials together.
- Choose easy-to-follow recipes with lots of tasks kids can help with. Kids will be more likely to try new foods and meals that they have helped cook! Have your kids choose recipes with you. See what they’re interested in making.
- As the adult consider preparing some of the ingredients before you start cooking with your child to help maintain their interest. When you’ve got ingredients organized and some preparation started, it will help so you won’t feel rushed if you’re trying to get a meal to the table.
For more info on cooking with kids, visit Eat Right Ontario online at:
For fast and delicious recipes, Public Health also recommends:
- Visiting Meals in Minutes on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and clicking on My Life & Health > Adults > Healthy Eating > Recipes – Meals in Minutes.
- Visiting www.dietitians.ca to watch videos of Registered Dietitians sharing Simply Cook and Enjoy! cooking tips.
- Downloading eaTipster free from www.eatipster.com nd be inspired by a new cooking tip each day in March – and healthy tips for the rest of the year!
- Downloading Cookspiration free at www.cookspiration.com and get recipe ideas based on what you feel like eating. This new iPhone and iPad app is launching early in 2014.
- Seek out Dietitians as the smart choice for nutrition and food information. Find a dietitian in your area at www.dietitians.ca/find
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For further information, please contact:
Erica Diamond, RD
Public Health Nutritionist
(705) 743-1000, ext. 361