3 Nutrition Tips for Parents from the GrowTorah Gardens - by a Registered Dietitian
In honor of Registered Dietitians Day, we will be sharing some kid-friendly nutrition tips and tricks from our on-staff Registered Dietitian, Farmer Shoshi.
No-Pressure, No-Problem!
We want our students to love the foods we grow, but we know that not all children are excited to try new foods. Often, when children feel pressured to eat, they go the opposite direction. In our gardens, we use a pressure-free approach to tasting. We explore the foods together - we talk about colors, textures, smells, and other defining factors. This exploration makes it feel less scary to try something new. Then we taste as a group. If a student doesn't want to taste, no problem! Share it with a friend (or the compost!). As long as we had that time to explore - it’s a win! Maybe next time they’ll be more inclined to taste. Exposure, exposure, exposure! Next time you sit down to a meal that your child doesn't want to eat, try talking through what the other senses are experiencing, then let them decide if they want to eat it or not, but maybe they will!
Eat the Rainbow!
In our gardens, we grow rainbows! Produce is filled with vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber and other nutrients. Each colored fruit, vegetable, herb, and plant has its own set of nutritional benefits. Encourage your family to eat at least 1 fruit or vegetable a day from each color of the rainbow!
Grow-at-home
Research (Link) has shown that when children are involved in preparing the food they are offered, they are more likely to eat (and enjoy) it! This preparation can start as early as planting the seed! Our students (and parents) have noted that they eat foods in the garden they don’t usually eat anywhere else…because THEY grew it. Set up a small garden in your backyard, or grow a tomato plant in a pot on your porch. See how that changes your family's feelings towards that food. You might be surprised!