At a family meal we have the opportunity to allow people to take the portion sizes they want. This family ritual can begin before mealtime with the planning, shopping and food preparation. Says Dr. Beker, A trip to the grocery store is a mission that you don t want to make mission impossible. That takes some planning ahead. This may seem like a luxury when you are pressed for time, but planning can involve not just parents, but children and the experience can be both entertaining and enlightening.
Kids are naturally curious and happy to be engaged in some new activity.
Let them read through cookbooks with you, shop for ingredients and get their hands dirty in the kitchen. The experience will go a long way in exposing your kids to a variety of foods, and the healthier choices you will guide them toward. Set aside time on a weekend to cook foods in batches to freeze for the week ahead. Kids can help with the preparation and the labeling of foods that will be their dinner later in the week. If you make one chicken, make three, says Dr. Beker.