Smart Eating: Make Cooking a Family Activity

Families that cook together tend to eat healthier, says Registered Dietitian Ann Marie Smokowski, who provides nutrition counseling at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo.

Every recipe has a task that a child can do, whether it's measuring the ingredients, stirring, or rinsing the produce.

Divide or double recipes to reinforce math skills.

When meal planning, ask your children for feedback and include them in the grocery shopping so that they're excited to participate.

“Cooking is a useful skill that your children will need as adults," says Ann Marie.

"The family that celebrates meals in this way tends to be more content and eat healthier. As parents, this can be one of the most valuable gifts we can give to our children!”

More Smart Eating Tips

Smart Eating is a series of nutrition tips to help you transform your eating habits. A new tip will be added on weekdays throughout the month of October.
Previous posts:

• Eat 3 Meals Every Day
• Focus on Balance, Variety and Proportion
• Make Half Your Plate Fruits and Vegetables
• Choose Whole Wheat Grains Instead of Refined Grains
• Switch to Fat-free or Low-fat (1%) Milk
• Opt for Lean Meats
• Eat Seafood at Least Twice a Week
• Eat Beans, Peas or Soy Products as a Main Dish
• Get Your Protein from Nuts
• Cut Down on Processed Foods
• Choose Dark Chocolate, Nuts or Trail Mix for Dessert
• Reduce Your Calories When Dining Out
• To Save Time in the Kitchen, Make Meals in Advance
• Make a Weekly Shopping List

Learn more about healthy eating on October 26, 2012 at WomenCare First Annual Day of Health: Be Strong, Be Happy, Be Healthy. Registered Dietitian Ann Marie Smokowski will present “Anti-Inflammatory Eating: The Mediterranean Lifestyle.” Click here for details.