Various studies have shown that children eat too little vegetables and fruits, and the rapidly increasing problem of obesity worldwide also affects the Baltic states. Chefs have observed that often parents themselves pay too little attention to building healthy eating habits. Chefs believe that children should be accustomed to a healthy diet from a young age. They recommend cooking with children and turning eating vegetables into a toy.
On International Chefs' Day, kitchen masters around the world are implementing educational and social initiatives for children. Chefs in cooperation with Nestlé Professionals educate children about healthy eating, introduce the profession of cook, as well as vegetables and fruits.
"The recent study, which shows that the number of obese children has increased tenfold over the last decades, is indeed a cause for concern. While in one part of the world children are malnourished, in another they are forced to struggle from a young age due to unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles. Therefore, we are glad that we can participate in educating children about healthy eating. Healthy eating habits that have developed from a young age will help children avoid unhealthy diets, overweight, as well as problems and diseases caused by lack of nutrients in the future," says Ariana Rastauskaite, a representative of nestlé Professionals, a partner of the project.
In autumn, vegetables are a source of health
In autumn, it is especially important to eat as many vegetables as possible, preferably – seasonal. With the rapid spread of diseases and attacking viruses, proper nutrition will help strengthen immunity and the body's protective functions.
It is advisable not to limit yourself to potatoes and beets, but also to enrich the diet with vegetables such as onions, garlic, turnips and parsniins. Children should also take meat and fish in sufficient quantities.
Play will help you fall in love with vegetables
Most children are reluctant to eat or refuse to eat much-needed vegetables at this time of year. The formation of healthy eating habits is a time-consuming process. Chefs advise parents to arm them with patience and keep their hands down in the face of the child's first resistance to a new vegetable.
Chefs recommend turning eating into a toy. The green color of vegetables can be associated with the comic hero Hulk, sort the food on the plate like lego tiles, play with colors, create different shapes from the products.
However, vegetables that the child does not eat can be "disguised". Broccoli can be rated in mashed potatoes, make a sauce and mix with pasta or groats. Asparagus can be wrapped in a slice of bacon or cheese, thereby changing their appearance and making it more attractive to the child.
Children should be allowed into the kitchen more often
Joint cooking is another way to promote children's interest in vegetables and their desire to taste them. Children should be allowed into the kitchen at the smallest possible age – it will be easier to change their habits.
Most children like to cook. Unfortunately, most parents are very busy and do not have time to cook with children. If time was found for this, it would be much easier to teach children healthy eating.
To choose from what you have chosen
Learning a healthy diet requires a lot of patience. First of all, parents should talk to the child and not rush to give what he demands. Often parents ask what the child would like. The child may answer that they don't want anything, or they'll choose an unhealthy product they like. Chefs recommend changing tactics – asking the child, allowing him to choose. A much healthier choice would be if you asked your child, "What are you going to eat – apple, pear or banana?" Your child still has a choice, but from products you've already chosen.
International Chefs Day is celebrated annually by 105 associations with more than 10,000 chefs worldwide who have joined the World Association of Chefs.