Taking the kids shopping

Taking the kids shopping can be an educational experience and boost their interest in fruits and vegetables, says this story that refers to research by the University of Texas. From the story:

Grocery shopping with kids can inculcate healthy eating habits in them, as they might develop interest in fruits and vegetables, researchers claim.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently started the ‘Fruits & Veggies-More Matters’ campaign, and insist that allowing children to become involved in the grocery shopping process was a creative and fun way to help them learn more about consuming a healthy diet and keeping them entertained. Kristen Bardon of The University of Texas insisted on the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption in kids. “It is important for kids to start eating healthy early in life for many reasons. One reason is to help prevent the long-term consequences of a poor diet such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer,” he said. One suggestion was to have a grocery store scavenger hunt with children, so that they discover new ways to enjoy fruits and vegetables, as well as help parents learn more about what appeals to them. “Parents can have their children help with grocery lists. This teaches them how to pick out produce and helps them to prepare the meal,” Bardon said. Some specific ways suggested by researchers to involve children while grocery shopping include: · Showing them a picture of a fruit or vegetable and let them find it in the store. · Asking them to tell the shape, colour or size of the fruits and vegetables. · Asking them to count the vegetables they see in the store.· Encouraging them to find fruits and vegetables they have not tried before.

TK: Moms who can pull this off deserve "supermom" status. There are many temptations in the supermarket for kids, including the candy aisle, the cereal aisle, the checkout lane and just about every other packaged food department. If any mom is actually doing this (kids help with grocery list, scavenger hunt for produce), I want to hear her story and see her kids. And supermarkets could do more;wouldn't it be great if stores offered sliced apples to kids at the registers, instead of a dum-dum candy?