Nutrition and eating habits remain a top priority when addressing the health of our youth today. Understanding and adopting healthy eating habits is challenging, even for parents, in a world of fast food, and yummy snacks. These quick fix foods are often the go-to for parents on the run, not only for themselves but also for their children.
We selected 5 great books on healthy eating, that can help parents and caregivers introduce kids to nutritious eating and encourage young readers to select healthier alternatives to processed foods.
1. Baby, Let’s Eat! by Amy Paxton.
There is no better way to introduce babies to fruits and vegetables that this indestructible book. The design is simple, colors are vibrant and it’t truly durable, water resistant and can’t be ripped or damaged. There is also a version on Spanish.
2. This Magical Foods by Becky Cummings.
My Magical Foods book teaches children how fruits and vegetables come naturally from the Earth, making them some of the best foods on earth. It shows strong and healthy animals, like the giraffe and gorilla, who eat plant-based foods, as well as shares ideas that motivate children to eat healthy snacks. In addition to being rhymed and beautifully illustrated, it is also very well written.
3. Healthy Eating with Liam, the Smart Rabbit by Azaliya Schulz.
This book is truly unique because empowers the child to make better choices by explaining two concepts: why fruits and vegetables are healthy, as well as why processed foods (in this case candy) have long-term negative effects on health, in a fun and easy to understand for children language. It was highly rated by the medical community and the only book on the market that explains the power of vitamins and the effects chemicals can have on growing bodies. Children will be inspired and motivated after reading this rhymed book!
4. I Can Eat a Rainbow by Olena Rose.
If you are looking for a short book that is not overwhelming, “I Can Eat a Rainbow” may be your best bet. It is only 15 pages long and teaches young children how important it is to incorporate fruits and vegetables into their diets. Featuring a rainbow of fruits and vegetables of your own to color, this book will keep children engaged and entertained.
5. Are You What You Eat by DK.
It’s a wonderful and educational book aimed at older kids. It guides children through food facts, the digestive system, and how to make smart choices about food. Children will learn that food is more than just the taste, that it affects their energy, can cause sleepiness, and that it can be used to inform them about their hunger and fullness.
The books described here could do a lot to teach children about healthy eating, as well as to encourage them to choose fruits and vegetables at the store, prepare them in the kitchen, and explain why they are good for the growing mind and body. Providing children with an example of proper nutrition is one of the best ways to teach them. In fact, since you are reading this article, you are already well on your way.
Taste and Review Activity to Encourage Kids to Try New Foods!
