🌈 A Little History of Healthy Food
A long, long time ago, people didn’t have grocery stores like we do today. Families grew fruits and vegetables in gardens, gathered eggs from chickens, and cooked meals at home together. They ate foods that came straight from the earth—like apples, carrots, beans, bread, and milk—which helped their bodies grow strong and healthy.
As time went on, people became very busy. New foods were invented that were quick to make, but not always the best for our bodies. Some foods had too much sugar, salt, or ingredients we couldn’t even pronounce! That’s when doctors, parents, and teachers began reminding everyone how important healthy food is.
Today, we know that eating colorful fruits, crunchy vegetables, whole grains, and fresh foods gives us energy to play, learn, and help the people we love. Healthy food helps our hearts beat strong, our brains think clearly, and our bodies feel good from the inside out. Cooking at home—especially with family—helps us make smart food choices and turns mealtime into something fun and special,
Kids’ Choice: Picking Foods That Help Them Grow!
Choosing what to eat is an important skill kids can learn early. Making healthy food choices helps our bodies grow strong, keeps our brains sharp for learning, and gives us energy to play, explore, and have fun every day. When kids help choose foods, they feel proud and excited about eating well.
How Kids Can Choose Their Foods
Kids don’t choose food alone—grown-ups help! But kids can still be part of the decision. Helping choose meals teaches kids about food, builds confidence, and makes trying new foods more fun.
Kid-friendly ways to choose foods:
-
Pick one fruit and one vegetable for your plate
-
Choose one crunchy food and one soft food
-
Help decide between two healthy options
-
Try one new food each week
Build a Balanced Plate (Kid Style!)
A balanced plate means eating different kinds of foods together. Each food has a special job:
-
Fruits & Vegetables – Help your body stay healthy and strong
-
Grains – Give you energy to play and learn
-
Protein & Dairy – Help build muscles, bones, and teeth
and our bodies feel good from the inside out. Cooking at home—especially with family—helps us make smart food choices and turns mealtime into something fun and special.
That’s why cooking together, just like you do in this book, is such a great way to learn, help Mommy, and take care of yourself too 💛
Eating a mix of foods helps your whole body feel good!
Why Kids’ Choices Matter
When kids help choose their food, they are more likely to eat it and enjoy it. Making choices teaches responsibility and helps kids learn how to take care of their bodies—now and as they grow up.
Fun Activity Idea, for a grown-up to help you:
☐ Circle foods you want to try this week
☐ Pick a food color for each meal
☐ Vote on dinner ideas as a family
Remember:
There are no perfect foods—just smart choices. Trying different healthy foods helps you discover what you like and keeps your body happy and strong.