At your current age, you likely have a favourite food. If you can identify foods that you enjoy most, then you’re probably already aware of foods that you dislike. Food preferences can be inspired by culture, environment, and even social settings. One of the most notable elements of food preference is age. As you grow, your relationship with certain flavours and smells changes. Your pallet can widen with age, as teens and young adults are more likely to try new things. In fact, for most children, it is completely normal to be picky when it comes to everyday meals.
Most kids view food as entirely about taste, which is understandable for younger children. Unless you are learning about food nutrients in school, you may not have a substantial understanding of healthy eating in early childhood. Combined with a lack of knowledge and a strong preference for sugary treats, the majority of children prefer foods that are largely unhealthy. Whether it be junk food, fast food, or highly-processed packaged snacks, the average child is probably consuming these on a daily basis.
In 2021, The World Health Organization (WHO) conducted an eye-opening study about the eating habits of children in European countries. After observing the diets of roughly 130,000 kids, the results may shock you. It was found that barely half of the children (42.5%) reported eating fruit daily. Even worse, only 22.6% of the children ate vegetables every day. These numbers may not represent every child’s diet, but they prove that the average child does not practice healthy eating.
Even among those who are aware of the risks of unhealthy diets, it can be intimidating to try and change your habits. Young people especially may not be familiar with where to start in healthier better choices. If you are a child who is interested in switching toward healthy eating, it is essential to know that the first step in doing so is learning. View the list below to discover simple tricks and tricks for a better diet.
- Make a list of your preferences
One of the easiest ways to switch to healthy eating is by establishing what you are interested in eating going forward. Making a list of your go-to foods, such as specific vegetables and grains, can help you visualize future meals. For even more depth, divide your list into three sections; your favourite ingredients, neutral ingredients, and ingredients that you are looking to eat more of. Healthy eating is all about having fun while fueling your body, so it is important to remember that expanding your preferences is a process.
- Research recipes that interest you
The average child is unaware of what it takes to prepare proper meals. Luckily, the internet is an excellent tool for you to use as you are moving through your healthy eating journey. There are countless food-centric websites, recipe blogs, and platforms which can introduce you to a variety of new ways to eat. Make sure to save and keep track of recipes that you are interested in recreating, or things that you have never had before. Sometimes the greatest way to discover a new favourite dish is by seeing what is out there.
- Ask friends and family what they like
In your life, you are surrounded by people from different backgrounds and cultures. An informative way to explore healthy eating is by turning to those around you and asking what they eat daily. Whether it be school friends, cousins, or even neighbours, learning about the ways that other people eat can teach you a lot about food in general. By taking this step, you are opening up a door to new experiences and dishes that you may not have even known about.
- Pay attention at the grocery store
When trying to change your lifestyle and embrace healthy eating habits, the grocery store can become a place for inspiration. If you accompany your parents while grocery shopping, pay close attention to what is being sold. To make better choices, being at the grocery store can help you familiarize yourself with the basic indicators of quality food. Take note of what brands sell real Canadian dairy by looking for the blue cow symbol on dairy products. Similar to this, logos can help indicate products that are free of specific allergens, such as a crossed-out peanut symbolizing peanut-free content.
- Create a “food journal”
Similar to the first tip, creating a food journal can help you visualize what meals you have tried as you move forward in your journey of healthy eating. A food journal allows you to keep track of all the meals you enjoyed, and where you had them. This could include restaurants, friend’s houses, or even school. By maintaining a food journal, you can revisit healthy snacks and meals from the past, which is especially helpful when you become bored with your daily diet. By recreating meals in your food journal, you can practice your cooking skills and prioritize healthy eating.
- Go easy on yourself
Choosing to step away from fast food and junk food is a wonderful change to make in your life, but it does not come without challenges. As you go forward with exploring the world of healthy eating, remind yourself that it is okay to have treats. As a young person, it is difficult to way away from certain habits, especially eating habits which you have picked up during your formative years. The truth is, a healthy lifestyle does not happen overnight. Simply choosing to consume healthier options is a step that you should be proud of. Remember that along with a healthy diet, you must keep a healthy mindset as well.
Overall, being aware of what goes into your meals can actually shock you. Young people are currently facing a healthy eating crisis, as less than half of the average youth population consumes fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. If you or your child are interested in making the shift towards a healthier lifestyle, visit the source material on the WHO website.
It is never too late to teach your child about healthy living, in both a mental and physical sense. Kids and teenagers are often in need of guidance from those around them, but may not be comfortable expressing their emotions. When young people are supported and empowered, they can reach their full potential in a variety of areas. If you are searching for a way to uplift your child and engage them in avenues of creativity, find out how the iMatter program can do just that. For further information, visit the iMatter website or contact Canyon Entertainment Group via info(at)canyonentertainmentgroup.com.