Smash Your Food was a now-expired app that taught children the nutrients found in food, in a healthy way.
The Guardian highlighted it as:
“Kid-focused apps can help young eaters recognize healthier food options. Smash Your Food lets children attack food items to see how much sugar, salt and oil they contain.”
PC Magazine puts it well:
“Smash Your Food is an online game that helps kids understand how much salt, sugar, and oil are in selected foods such as pizza, doughnuts, and a milkshake. Users guess how much sugar, salt, and oil is in the selected food product. After “smashing” the food, children then see the actual amounts it contains compared to the recommended amounts needed to stay healthy.“
Smash Your Food was even covered in this infographic!
So Really – How Can We Teach Kids about Food Nutrients in a way without Actually Smashing their Food?!
Young kids still learning about food may lead with their taste buds and not make the connection to nutritious foods until later on.
Some kids would eat candy all day long, and without parental supervision, they’d end up doing it – and landing in the dentist’s chair after a few months of non-stop binging.
So how do you teach kids a bit about some of the big components of food? A game. Well, there used to be an app called FoodNMe that would let kids smash food to break apart the components into salt, sugar, and oil.
Alas, that game is no more, for now. But in its place we can at least provide some helpful tips on accomplishing the original goal of that app.
Eating healthy foods is an essential part of growing up and staying healthy. And teaching kids about healthy eating habits is an important part of their development. In this blog post, we’ll discuss why it’s important to teach your kids healthy eating habits, and what they should know about some main components of food: salt, sugar, and oil.
Why is this important?
Teaching kids healthy eating habits helps them make better choices when it comes to food. Eating a balanced diet with the right amounts of nutrients helps your child stay healthy and have the energy they need to grow and develop. Eating too much salt, sugar, and oil can increase their risk for chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Teaching your kids how to make healthier food choices is an important part of helping them grow up healthy.
Two hot tips for healthier meals:
1. Limit salt in meals: Try using herbs or spices instead of adding extra salt to meals. Also, limit processed foods that are high in salt like chips, crackers, and canned soups.
2. Reduce sugar intake: Cut down on sugary drinks like soda and replace them with water or unsweetened tea. You can also try adding fruits or vegetables to smoothies instead of adding extra sugar for sweetness.
Introduction to Healthy Eating Habits
Healthy eating habits start from a young age. Children learn from their parents and caregivers about what foods to eat and what not to eat. As parents, it’s important to instill healthy eating habits in your children, so they can have a healthy and balanced diet. Eating healthy foods will provide them with the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.
Healthy eating habits also help to reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, and other chronic diseases. Teaching kids healthy eating habits will help them understand why it’s important to make healthy food choices. It will also help them understand the importance of a balanced diet.
Benefits of Healthy Eating Habits – and How to Teach Em
Eating healthy foods can help to improve kids’ overall health and well-being.
Healthy eating habits can also help to boost their immune system, reduce their risk of chronic disease, and improve their brain function.
Eating healthy foods can also help to improve their mood and energy levels. Eating a balanced diet can give them the energy they need to stay active and alert. And teaching your kids healthy eating habits from an early age can help to instill healthy habits that will last into adulthood.
For example, kids may become deficient in iron, which can cause some energy problems and anemia.
They can also be low in magnesium, which when taken in proper dosages contributes to calm and relaxation.
Steps to Teach Children Healthy Eating Habits
When it comes to teaching your kids healthy eating habits, there are a few steps you can take to ensure that your children have a healthy and balanced diet.
First, it’s important to start by teaching your kids about the importance of a balanced diet. Explain to them how eating a variety of foods from all the food groups can provide them with the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
Second, it’s important to talk to your kids about portion sizes. Explain to them why it’s important to eat the right amount of food and why it’s important to not overeat.
Third, it’s important to talk to your kids about the different types of foods they can eat. Explain to them why it’s important to eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Fourth, it’s important to encourage your kids to make healthy food choices. Explain to them why it’s important to choose healthy snacks and meals.
Finally, it’s important to model healthy eating habits for your kids. Show them that you are making healthy food choices and that you are cooking healthy meals. This will help to reinforce the message that healthy eating is important.
The Importance of Salt, Sugar, and Oil in Healthy Eating Habits
Salt, sugar, and oil are all important components of a healthy and balanced diet. Salt helps to improve the flavor of food and can help to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Sugar helps to provide energy and can help to improve mood and focus. Oil helps to provide essential fatty acids and can help to reduce the risk of heart disease.
It’s important to teach your kids about the importance of salt, sugar, and oil in a healthy diet. Explain to them why it’s important to use these ingredients in moderation and why it’s important to choose healthy options like olive oil or coconut oil.
The Best Healthy Food for Kids
When it comes to teaching your kids healthy eating habits, it’s important to choose the best healthy food for them. There are a variety of healthy foods that are perfect for kids, including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals, and they are a great source of fiber. Whole grains provide essential nutrients and help to keep kids feeling full. Lean proteins help to build and maintain muscle and can help to boost energy levels. And healthy fats help to keep kids feeling satisfied and can help to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Foods to Avoid for 2-Year-Olds
Let’s look at 2-year-olds, because they’re difficult and right on the throngs of toddlerhood. They are talking but communicating clearly and convincingly is still required. They won’t always do exactly what they’re told.
So for them, for example, it’s important to avoid sugary drinks, processed foods, and foods high in saturated fat.
Sugary drinks are high in calories and can lead to weight gain. Processed foods are often high in sodium and additives, and can be difficult for 2-year-olds to digest. And foods high in saturated fat can increase the risk of heart disease.
It’s also important to avoid giving 2-year-olds foods that are high in sugar, such as candy and sweets. These foods can lead to cavities, weight gain, and other health issues.
What to Feed a 2 Year Old
A balanced diet for a 2-year-old should include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals, and they are a great source of fiber.
Whole grains provide essential nutrients and help to keep kids feeling full. Lean proteins help to build and maintain muscle and can help to boost energy levels. And healthy fats help to keep kids feeling satisfied and can help to reduce the risk of heart disease.
It’s also important to feed 2-year-olds a variety of foods to ensure that they get all the nutrients they need. Offering a variety of foods will also help to prevent picky eating.
How to Teach Children Healthy Eating Without Processed Foods
Processed foods can be high in sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats. And they can be difficult for kids to digest. So it’s important to teach your kids healthy eating without processed foods.
One way to do this is to cook more at home. Home-cooked meals are usually healthier than processed foods, and they can be tailored to your kid’s tastes and preferences.
You can also look for healthy alternatives to processed foods. For example, instead of processed snacks, you can offer your kids healthy snacks like nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables, or yogurt.
It’s also important to teach your kids how to read nutrition labels. This will help them to make better food choices and to identify foods that are high in unhealthy ingredients.
Why Smashing Food Helps Kids Learn About Nutrients
Smashing food is a great way to teach kids about the nutrients in food.
Well, not really.
It’s not like you could smash your food, and be able to see the components of the food, such as vitamins, minerals, and proteins.
Smashing food also allows kids to at least see how smaller components make up the whole. It also helps to engage their senses, which can help to make food more interesting and enjoyable.
Smashing food can also help to reduce picky eating. When kids are able to explore and touch food, they are more likely to try new foods and to eat a wider variety of foods. Whenever I show my toddler how to explore looking at and interacting with the food, it’s helpful to encourage them to eat as well.
Recipes for Healthy Meals for Kids
When it comes to teaching your kids healthy eating habits, it’s important to provide healthy meals that are packed with nutrients. Here are a few recipes for healthy meals for kids:
• Spaghetti Squash with Marinara Sauce: This dish is packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It’s also low in calories and can be easily customized to your kid’s tastes.
• Baked Sweet Potato Fries: Sweet potatoes are a great source of fiber and vitamins A and C. These baked sweet potato fries are a great way to get your kids to eat more vegetables.
• Vegetable Stir Fry: This dish is packed with vegetables and is a great way to get your kids to eat more vegetables.
• Fruit and Yogurt Parfait: This dish is packed with vitamins and is a great way to get your kids to eat more fruit.
Conclusion
Teaching your kids healthy eating habits is an essential part of their development. Encouraging them to deconstruct (not totally smash) their food is helpful for them to see how different components make up a larger dish.
Eating healthy foods is important for their overall health and well-being. And teaching them about healthy eating habits will help to reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, and other chronic diseases.
When it comes to teaching your kids healthy eating habits, it’s important to start by teaching them about the importance of a balanced diet. It’s also important to talk to them about portion sizes, the different types of foods they can eat, and to encourage them to make healthy food choices.
It’s also important to teach your kids about the importance of salt, sugar, and oil in a healthy diet. And it’s important to choose the best healthy food for them, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Finally, it’s important to teach your kids how to make healthy food choices without processed foods. And it’s important to provide them with healthy meals that are packed with nutrients.
By teaching your kids healthy eating habits with salt, sugar, and oil, you can help them to lead a healthy and balanced lifestyle. So start teaching your kids today and make sure they have a healthy and balanced diet!