PBS Parents . Eating for Health, and for Fun!

There are many ways that parents can establish healthy eating habits in their young children. The earlier you start the better! Young kids are great copycats. If they see you eating healthy foods they’ll want to copy you. Engage kids in food by letting them help with meal planning, shopping and preparing. Related activities can offer great learning opportunities. Cooking with kids helps build math and listening skills, and you can turn a trip to the grocery store into a literacy game.

Overcoming Picky Eating

It is normal for children between the ages of 2 and 5 to resist eating new foods. But even the pickiest eaters will eat a balanced diet if parents make healthy foods available to them. Here are some ways to make healthy foods favorite choices. More »

More information and ideas:

Get Kids to Eat Healthy Foods
Here are some strategies for encouraging kids to make healthy food choices. More »

Fun with Food
Having a little fun with food may be the very thing that gets kids excited about healthy eating. More »

Healthy Book Choices
Introduce your kids to health and nutrition through these age-appropriate books. More »

Healthy from the Start
Help infants and toddlers learn healthy eating habits (requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader). More »

Cooking With Kids

Following directions. Practicing math. Reading. Learning about nutrition. These are just some of the skills that kids pick up when they help out in the kitchen. So next time you are preparing a meal, ask your kids to join in. Even cleaning up teaches valuable life lessons, such as responsibility. More »

Expert Q&A with Connie Evers, MS, RD

Connie Evers is a registered dietitian, consultant and author who specializes in the health of children and adolescents. Read about her easy “food rules” that promote healthy eating habits in young children.

Grocery Store Fun

Going to the grocery store with kids in tow doesn't have to be a chore. There are lots of fun ways to keep them entertained, and learning at the same time. For example, a grocery store is a great place for a literacy scavenger hunt. Ask your kids to find objects that begin with the letters in their names. Here are some more ideas:

Eating for Health — and for Fun!

Expert Q&A with Connie Evers, MS, RD

Grocery Store Fun