{"id":8001,"date":"2017-02-09T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-02-09T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/togethercounts.com\/healthy-lifestyle-teaching-your-child-to-cook\/"},"modified":"2017-02-09T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2017-02-09T00:00:00","slug":"healthy-lifestyle-teaching-your-child-to-cook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/togethercounts.com\/es\/healthy-lifestyle-teaching-your-child-to-cook\/","title":{"rendered":"Healthy Lifestyle: Teaching Your Child to Cook"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Cooking<\/a>\u2014a basic life skill \u2013 can be helpful for future health and wellness when \u00a0taught as young as possible. A familiarity with the kitchen leads to lifelong talents that will be practiced at least 3 times a day! As a partner of the Together Counts\u2122 program for healthy, active living, we want to share five reasons why you should get your child of any age involved in cooking to encourage a\u00a0healthy lifestyle.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. You eat what you make.<\/h3>\n

When kids help assemble the meal they are much more likely to actually try what they are making. This creates an interest in new foods and flavors that may not have been discovered otherwise. Putting kids in charge of something like washing the fruit or picking out the vegetable can be a cure for seriously picky eaters.<\/p>\n

2. You become more aware of healthier options.<\/h3>\n

Some kids come home from school and immediately run into the pantry to see what they can eat. When kids are comfortable with the kitchen, they may fix themselves an omelet or cut up some fruit and vegetables to snack on. Knowledge is power, especially for younger ages.<\/p>\n

3. Opens the door for healthy eating discussion.<\/h3>\n

Sizzling up a balanced meal is the perfect opportunity to open the discussion on healthy and active lifestyle tips. Talking about how food affects our bodies is easier when you are simultaneously putting the tips into action.<\/p>\n

4. Grab a slice of confidence!<\/h3>\n

Cooking is a skill that is mastered with time and practice. As kids see their skills develop and improve, they will thrive on that momentum. It is rewarding to witness their sense of accomplishment with each dish prepared.<\/p>\n

5. Cooking up quality time.<\/h3>\n

Overall, cooking is a great way to bond as a family. Get everyone involved in a special meal and then gather around the table to enjoy it. There is a place for everyone in the kitchen \u2013 even on cleanup duty!<\/p>\n

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Written by Gloria Westlake, Registered Dietitian<\/p>\n

Established in 1968, Camp Shane is the premiere and longest running weight loss camps for girls, boys, teenagers & young adults. They encourage and teach their campers that leading a healthy lifestyle and losing weight can still be fun! To learn more visit\u00a0<\/em>www.campshane.com<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

For more ideas on how to incorporate cooking into your child\u2019s life, check out these reads from Together Counts:<\/p>\n