Heather "H" Nieto-Friga’s Post

Does getting your kids involved in the kitchen actually make a difference? I did the research, so you don't have to! A systematic review of over 12,000 research participants around the world found that cooking programs did indeed result in small increases in a child's cooking confidence, food literacy and vegetable intake. I deep dive into what that research covered and the learnings we can take into our own kitchen. #phd #didyouknow #foodculture #eatingbehaviours #healthyeating #kidscooking

Reading about strange veg can help you want to eat them? A team of researchers at Reading University led by Professor Carmel Houston-Price ran a study to test how vegetable picture books might help change children’s behaviour toward vegetables, particularly comparing vegetables they were familiar with and those which they were not familiar with. Over a number of studies the team showed that reading a picture book over a two week period increased a pre-school child’s willingness to try eating a vegetable, particularly for vegetables that children are not familiar with before reading a picture book. In one of the studies the toddlers even ate more of the unfamiliar vegetable than of a matched control food! The families read a picture book with their child every day for two weeks in the projects. If you want to find out more about the studies, they are in the link in the bio for this post. There are lots of ways to build your child's familiarity with food away from the table and that's what we're all about here at The Foodies so I'll try to share lots of different ways to get kids interested in food when it's not in debate on their plate! Has your family got any books that have food in them? If so pop the title in the comments so other people can get some ideas! #focusonfamiliarity #pickyeater #familyfood #fussyeater #toddlerfood #tryfoods #eatseasonal #eattheseasons #eatseasonally #seasonalfood

Did you know Local Matters' YouTube channel has recipe tutorials, grocery store tours, and tips and tricks like how to best prepare your leafy greens? Learn how to make a delicious peanut noodle dish for lunch or check out ways to save money at the grocery store: https://lnkd.in/eRV77qrN And be sure to subscribe so you don't miss future videos from Local Matters!

4 Strategies to Help Your Kids Practice Tasting New Foods This week let’s talk openly and honestly about tasting new foods. Kids need to be exposed to foods over and over (and over again) before they are familiar with it, and willing to eat with without putting up a fuss. When they are young, this number is somewhere around 15. And it just gets bigger as they get older (think about the last time YOU tried to taste a food that you don’t like). But this skill is critical for them to learn. And it can be learned … with a little practice.  Here are four actionable strategies that parents can use to gently guide their children toward becoming more adventurous eaters. To see the full video, visit https://lnkd.in/ezVKk5zM

🥕🥦 Dipping your toes in the vegetarian or vegan waters? These books are filled with delicious plant-based recipes. https://lnkd.in/eDSNNtuM

ON THIS DAY IN OUR HISTORY: Hands-up, those of you who eat tinned fish at meals! Hands-up, those of you who prepare special serves from a tin of fish before serving! Read more here: ( https://lnkd.in/eaBzeH-P )

🥑 Kids cooking classes are not just about making meals, they’re about fostering a deeper connection to food, cultivating creativity, and instilling lifelong skills that go beyond the kitchen. 🍽️ I have been teaching kids cooking classes for 3+ years. My favorite part is when the junior chefs share the meal together. They are so proud of what they created in the kitchen. Is it chaotic? Yes. Do some kids HATE tomatoes? Yes. Do we have fun? YES. Class Curriculum 🥤Healthy Beverages: Seasonal Smoothie 🍎Fall Flavors: Sautéed Cinnamon Apples 🌈Eat The Rainbow: Rainbow Sushi 🥕Sneaky Veggies: Loaded Veggie Quesadilla 🍅Seasonal Eating: Pico De Gallo 🍓Be Sugar Smart: Fresh Fruit Crepes 🫐Food & Mood: Chia Seed Pudding 💫Community creates resilience and kids cooking creates community. I encourage you to include junior chefs in the kitchen to build confidence, resilience & health. Investing in our youth is the way forward 🤍 📸Photos used with permission from Kids Cooking For Life #kidscooking #kidsinthekitchen #kidscookingclass #wellnessentrepreneur #teacherlife