The Secrets to Getting Kids to Love Healthy Foods: Patience & Creativity

If kids had to choose between a scoop of strawberry ice cream and a scoop of steam-cooked carrots, we know they’ll probably pick the ice cream and we’ll be left with a full bowl of uneaten carrots. But what if kids had to choose between steam-cooked carrots and apple slices?  Thanks to updated school meal nutrition standards and June’s “Smart Snacks in Schools” ruling, schools across the nation are: 1) taking away junk food options and 2) offering healthier snack and beverage options. The next step: How can schools help kids learn to actually ENJOY eating nutritious dishes? 

In a recent U.S. News article, “How Do We Get Kids To Like Healthy Foods?”, Director of the Family Eating Laboratory at Temple University’s Center for Obesity Research and Education Jennifer Orlet Fisher explained that kids are actually “hard-wired” to pick brownies over broccoli. Yet, there are things adults can do to get kids to prefer healthier foods. One idea that stood out to us was Fisher’s encouragement for adults to be patient as it can take a while for kids to actually enjoy eating healthy meals: “Kids can require up to five to 10 exposures to see increases in liking, and even more, depending on the food.”

Similarly, schools shouldn’t expect all students to immediately love fresh salads and fat-free milk. It’s going to take time. Schools started serving healthier lunches that met updated school meal nutrition standards last year. This upcoming 2013-2014 school year will include healthier breakfasts as well. If veggie wraps aren’t a hit right away, schools shouldn’t lose hope and stay patient. Kids are likely to warm up to the healthy meals and snacks over time.

Fisher also suggested adults get kids more involved in preparing meals or growing food as a way to associate healthy eating with fun and enthusiasm.  We’re already seeing many schools across the country successfully building excitement around healthy food through fun, creative activities like competitions and taste-tests. Here are a couple of our favorite ways schools are encouraging healthy food to students:

Hold a smoothie recipe competition
Students and cafeteria staff in Florida middle schools compete to invent new healthy smoothie flavors with nutritious ingredients like canned yams. Read more in this Tampa Tribune article: http://bit.ly/13HVa9V

Grow a pizza garden
North Carolina elementary students started “pizza gardens” where they learned how to grow green peppers, tomatoes and basil to top whole-wheat pies. http://bit.ly/145uGyo 

Give students a choice to “build” their own sandwiches
Cafeterias in Utah’s Provo City School District include a “build your own sandwich” line where kids can personalize their bread and lunch meat with an array of veggies including cucumbers, green and red peppers, tomatoes and lettuce. http://bit.ly/11NddOo

Incorporate healthy foods into familiar dishes
Schools like Crossroads in St. Paul Minnesota are putting a healthier twist on familiar favorites, like serving turkey hot dogs on whole-wheat buns with rosemary roasted potatoes. http://bit.ly/13Hg3py

Conduct student taste tests
Maryland high school students taste-tested healthy lunch dishes including chili and teriyaki chicken to determine what would make it on the cafeteria menu. http://bit.ly/15OVEOU

For even more inspiration on getting kids to eat better, check out our recent blogs on how to “nudge” kids toward healthier choices and why kids should be introduced to healthy “adult food” from an early age.