Kids Cook Teaches Children That Eating Healthy Can Be Fun!

I am serving at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (GPCFB) as a Nutrition Educator. On a daily basis, I creatively promote healthy eating lifestyles through cooking classes and cooking demonstrations throughout the Pittsburgh region. My main focus at the GPCFB is Kids Cook, which is a program that brings kids into the kitchen.

During a cooking class, all of the children’s senses are stimulated as they hear, see, smell, touch and taste their delicious creations. When children have ownership in cooking, they are more likely to try unfamiliar foods. While cooking a Banana Oat Pancakes recipe for a lesson, a young boy was excited to finally eat his delicious pancake that he made. While he was eating his pancake, his mom came in to pick him up from the after school program. She whispered to me and asked, “Does he know what he is eating?” She went on to share with me that he had refused to try bananas and blueberries in the past. After not leaving a bite on his plate, he was thrilled to share the recipe with his mom and asked if they could make it sometime at home. Often, the biggest problem in a child’s diet is lack of exposure to new foods. Through our Kids Cook program, we attempt to overcome this barrier by exposing these children to easily accessible and inexpensive fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy and proteins. We encourage children to step out of their comfort zone, and try something they have never tried before.

However, exposing children to new foods is only half of the journey. We need to show and practice new methods and procedures to cook these new healthy foods. During another Banana Oat Pancake lesson, I was waiting with two children for their pancake to cook. I asked them if any of them had cooked before at home. One young girl responded that indeed she had and she often made pancakes for her family. She explained how she made them a different way than this recipe, the “easier” way with pancake mix and water. I asked her if she remembered the steps to create the banana oat pancakes we made today. She said, “Well, you mash up the banana, add oats, add an egg and cook. Oh wow, that is pretty simple. Just as easy as the other pancakes. I am going to make these pancakes instead!” Many times the most overwhelming issue in eating healthy is knowing where to start. Through fun and engaging lessons, I attempt to provide children with all of the necessary tools to eat healthy!

Over a series of three Kids Cook lessons, we at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank strive to teach children what a healthy plate looks like, why good nutrition is important, and how to make three healthy and tasty meals for themselves and their families. By doing so, we promote healthy lifestyles and provide healthy recipes that they can grow up cooking for themselves and one day for their families!

Michelle cooking with Kids